best german cities to visit at christmas

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8 Top Contenders for the Best Christmas Town in Germany | Festive Atmosphere That You Will Truly Enjoy

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Christmas is approaching fast, and with the festive season, many German towns turn into wonderlands to the delight of young and old. Be it big cities or rural smaller towns, they all open their jewelry boxes and take out their best lights and decorations, glitter, trees, and angels to make the already beautiful places even prettier. November, December, and even early January are a time of magic in Germany.

If it snows, which it often does at that time of year, that is an extra bonus. The centerpieces of this magic are the many German Christmas markets, a tradition that actually originated in Germany . They spring up all over the country, with decorated wooden stalls selling delicious food and mulled wine, handmade trinkets, and baubles of all colors. If you are short of Christmas presents for your loved ones, you are bound to find something nice at the Christmas markets.

And more often than not, there is more in the way of entertainment. From ice skating rinks to music or giant Ferris wheels, German towns at Christmastime are perfect for the entire family stretching across generations.

Here are some of my favorite cities to visit over Christmas, in no particular order.

8 Contenders for the Best Christmas Town in Germany

1. lüneburg.

If you are a fan of the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm, Lüneburg, located just 40 miles from my hometown of Hamburg , is the place for you to visit at Christmas time. Surrounded by the Lüneburg Heath, a sea of purple in summer, and a fascinating snowscape in winter, Lüneburg is an ancient city with countless medieval houses that provide an enchanting background for the Christmas market .  

It is installed in the pedestrianized area, and the wooden huts are all themed on the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. Meet Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, and all the other figures we know from our childhood, and smell the scent of roasted chestnuts, candied almonds, and apples.

While browsing for handmade trinkets and decorations for your Christmas tree, warm yourself with mulled wine. German mulled wine, known as Glühwein , is a beloved winter drink. Made with red wine, spices like cinnamon and cloves, citrus fruits, and sugar, it’s heated to create a warm, aromatic drink enjoyed during the festive season of Christmas and New Year holidays.

Where To Eat

The Krone Brauhaus serves good beer and traditional, hearty food in a lovely setting.

Where To Stay

Book accommodation in one of the farmhouses , sit by the roaring fire, relax, and recharge your batteries.

Munich , the capital of Bavaria, is a fairy tale at Christmas time . With the snow-covered Alps as the backdrop, the city is prettier in winter than at any other time of the year. And those Christmas markets are superb. The oldest one — which dates back to 1310 — is at Munich’s Marienplatz with a 100-foot-high Christmas tree standing in front of the New Town Hall. For a bit of an alternative approach, head to the Pink One , all decorated in pink and with special gay parties on the agenda for LGBTQ+ travelers and all others.

If you want to take in all the Christmas trees and decorations in the city, why not join a walking tour and taste your way through the markets?

Try the scrumptious Dampfnudeln on the markets. Soft, warm dumpling dough covered in vanilla custard. Sinful, yet light.

Where to Stay

The family-owned hotel Bayerischer Hof offers special Christmas and New Year dinners.

Leipzig is located in Saxony on the confluence of the rivers Elster, Pleisse, and Parthe which later join the Elbe. It has one of the oldest universities in Germany, a Renaissance town center, museums, and three Christmas markets. Although it does not snow as often as in Bavaria, when it does, there are plenty of activities like cross-country skiing and even sled rides in several of the many parks.

The three Christmas markets cover the expanse of Market Square, Naschmarkt, and Augustusplatz date back to 1458. Something Leipzig offers that no one else has is the St. Thomas Boys Choir, which was, in its day, led by Johann Sebastian Bach. It still performs special Christmas concerts.

Try the Leipziger Lerche, a pastry filled with ground almonds, nuts and strawberry jam, which you will find everywhere at the Christmas markets and cafes.

Head straight to the Steigenberger Grandhotel Handelshof right by the Naschmarkt market.

4. Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf, located at the river Rhine in North Rhine Westphalia, is associated with luxury, glitz, and glamor at any time of the year, but at Christmas, the wealthy city surpasses itself. When I lived there, straight after school, I could only window shop on Königsallee with all its designer boutiques. But at Christmas, its pretty lights were enough. More my scene was the Altstadt, the old town, a warren of cobbled streets — and bars — steps away from the rich glitter.

Then there are the typical German Christmas markets, officially seven of them, some with such romantic names as Sternchen Markt (“little star market”), Engelchen Markt (“little angel market”), and Märchen Markt (“fairy tale market”). They all have different themes and live up to their names, making Düsseldorf one of the most beautiful cities in Germany to visit over Christmas and during Advent.

At the Christmas markets, try the warm waffles with cherries and cream.

If you can, splash out on the Breidenbacher Hof , centrally located on the Königsallee.

5. Prien Am Chiemsee

Remember Pieter Bruegel’s painting from 1595 with ice skaters, called Winter Landscape ? Well, that could exactly depict the small Bavarian rural town of Prien am Chiemsee. The town never fails to awe with its natural beauty in winter. Located on the shore of the large Chiemsee, surrounded by the Bavarian Alps and forests, and with two islands in the middle of the lake , this small town is the epitome of winter heaven.

More often than not, the lake freezes over, which allows skaters and hikers to reach one of the islands, Herreninsel, on foot. The island houses the last of King Ludwig of Bavaria’s romantic castles , called Herrenchiemsee, with gardens modeled on Versailles. Already pretty in summer, it is outstanding when covered in snow. Small Prien may be, but it also hosts the coziest Christkindl market you could imagine — only about 15 to 20 wooden stalls, decorated with stars, angels, baubles, and Papa Noels.

If you still have space after sampling the delights at the German Christmas market , stay in and eat the hearty home cooked dishes in the hotel’s restaurant.

Garden Hotel Reinhart faces the lake and the promenade and is about 10 minutes on foot from the town center and Christmas market.

6. Augsburg

Another enchanting Bavarian town at Christmas is Augsburg. Known as the “Fugger Stadt” because of the famously rich Renaissance Fugger banking family, Augsburg is located on the Romantic Street and full of history and medieval architecture as well as the origin of the German Rococo and Baroque styles.

Naturally, Augsburg has a pretty Christmas market, here called Christkindlsmarkt, too, but there is a highlight you won’t find anywhere else. From the beginning of Advent, each weekend, the Town Hall is transformed into a giant calendar with 24 golden angels coming out of the doors and windows in the evening and delighting the crowd with Christmas carols.

The lovely Berghof Restaurant serves up seasonal dishes and regional, hearty, and winter-perfect cuisine.

Stay at the traditional DOM Hotel , and for extra coziness, ask for a room under the roof.

7. Freiburg

Freiburg is a lovely little town near the Black Forest and is nearly as good in summer as it is in winter. But head down the narrow alleys, past the little stream and the colorful — if slightly crooked — houses in winter, when things are lit up with fairy lights, trees decked out and windows decorated, and bingo! The Rathausplatz, Town Hall Square, is filled with chalets and towered over by a huge tree while the aromas of traditional Christmas fare waft through the lanes, and the little canal that flows through the town reflects the pretty lights.

Just perfect for Christmas, really. Add to that the proximity of the Black Forest, usually covered in snow at this time of year, with its traditional cuckoo clocks and wood carvings, and the magical Triberger Weihnachtszauber , and there is good reason to come again and again at Christmas time.

The traditional Gasthaus Löwen is open over Christmas and serves up good, local fare with a festive touch.

Treat yourself to a stay in a castle on a vineyard for extra charm.

The advent season marks the start of the festive cheer in Cologne when every corner of this old town is festively decorated. Locals and visitors come to the Christmas Circus, the China Lights at the Zoo , the giant Christmas tree, and the famous Cologne’s Cathedral Christmas Market. 

Strolling through Cologne’s Christmas markets, gorging on sweet snacks, and washing it all down with warming glasses of mulled wine, makes waiting for Santa Claus easy.

Located in the Old Town area, Brauhaus Sion , a brewery restaurant near Cologne Cathedral is a great place to enjoy a classic German sit-down meal.

It’s hard to beat the location and value City Apartments in Köln am Rheingarten offers. 

Honorable Mention

Germany’s capital probably deserves a separate review with so many things to do and see. If you want to visit a new Christmas market every day of your trip, Berlin is a great bet with more than 100 markets to choose from. You can ride the Ferris wheel, skate, enjoy the scenery of the City Hall, explore Berlin’s museums and attractions, and so much more to tap into the Christmas spirit and the city’s holiday cheer.

As with most places that celebrate Christmas , you’ll find that many restaurants and shops are closed at the very least on Christmas Day, but also close early on Christmas Eve in Germany. It pays to book ahead, or at least let your hotel know you’d be eating in on Christmas Day, as otherwise, however lovely, you will be stuck with three meals at the Christmas markets.

Is Germany Good for Christmas?

Yes, Germany is justifiably a go-to destination for Christmas. Not only do many festive traditions originate here, but it also happens to have an endless number of scenic castles, impressive cathedrals, and charming town squares adorned with Christmas lights to serve as fairytale backdrops.

What to Expect at German Christmas Markets?

Traditionally held in the town square, German Christmas market stalls offer beautiful and enchanting traditional handicrafts and festive delicacies, accompanied by traditional music dancing, and twinkling lights. It’s the time for mulled wine or children’s punch, for a wide variety of gifts, and for winter fun. 

Is There a Christmas Market in Every German Town?

There are over 150 towns and cities throughout Germany with established traditions of a Christmas market. Many places have more than one market though. For example, there are around 70 Berlin Christmas markets in the German capital. 

What Is the Best German Christmas Market?

The most famous German Christmas market is the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt. Other famous Christmas markets are the Leipzig Christmas Market, Esslingen Medieval Christmas Market, Stuttgart Christmas Market, Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market, and Marienplatzt in Munich, one of the oldest Christmas markets.

What Was the First Genuine Christmas Market in the World?

The Dresdner Striezelmarkt is considered the first genuine Christmas market in the world, dating back to 1434. Today, it’s a massive multiday event where over 200 stalls can be found selling traditional food, sweet treats, hot apple wine, and more.

A travel writer and guidebook author for the last 20 years, Ulrike's work has been seen in National Geographic , BBC , The Independent , Australian Women's Weekly , The Telegraph , The Australian , Fodor's , France Today , CNN Travel , Lonely Planet , Travel + Leisure , CNTraveler , numerous inflight magazines, and many others.

She has written three books for Moon Travel Guides: 'Living Abroad in Australia' (3rd edition), 'Sydney & the Great Barrier Reef', and the shorter version 'Spotlight Sydney' and are all available in print and as e-books.

Having lived in seven countries (Germany, UK, Qatar, Oman, UAE, Australia, and France) to date and traveled to more than 100, she specializes in writing about travel, art and architecture, expat living, and life and style.

The 7 cutest German Christmas towns to feel merry in

--> BY Kate Bettes

Last updated . 28 November 2023

If you’re looking for a magical winter getaway in Europe, it’s hard to find a better option than these festive German towns.

While the avalanche of Instagram posts of Aperol spritzes and glistening dishes of cacio e pepe might have given you serious envy Europe trip envy this summer, there is still time to gift yourself a seasonal treat and head there this Christmas. And no one – I mean absolutely no one – does festive cheer better than Germans .

With a Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas market) in almost every town, the ever-present whiff of lebkuchen (gingerbread-like bars) and the chance to sip glühwein (mulled wine) while watching the snowfall outside, Germany has the whole of December down pat .

Ready to pack up that sleigh? Here are the top German towns to get you inspired for your White Christmas .

1. Quedlinburg

Simply walking the snow-covered streets of the medieval German town of Quedlinburg will be enough to get you and the family in the Christmas spirit. And that’s before you even get to their famous Christmas markets at the old market square. Afterwards, check out the real-life Advent Calendar at the Quedlinburg town hall: where a new festive scene is unveiled each day.

Experience the wintery magic of Christmas in Germany.

To get away from the crowds, take a walk through Altstadt (Old Town) to see the town decked out like a season’s greetings card, before heading back down for a mulled wine.

Christmas lights brighten up the snow-covered streets of Quedlinburg.

How to get there: Quedlinburg is in the centre of Germany and is connected by train to other major cities. For example, Berlin can be reached by train in approximately three-and-a-half hours. Alternatively, if you are coming from there, Hannover or Leipzig, it’s around a two to three-hour drive to Quedlinberg.

Want to explore more nearby? Go hiking in the wider Harz Mountains region or visit other towns of the area. A good starting point is the medieval town of Goslar.

No other place does Christmas quite like Germany.

The under-the-radar town of Goslar receives far less attention from international travellers, while still being beloved by Germans for its gorgeous Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage site ), half-timbered houses and long history as a major seat of power in the Holy Roman Empire era.

Goslar’s Christmas Markets are truly spectacular.

But come December, it is the Christmas stalls in Marktplatz and the enchanting Advent Calendar House that are the centre of attention.

The old town of Goslar lights up during the Advent season.

How to get there: Goslar is approximately one hour by train from the town of Hannover and just under one-and-a-half hours by car – making it well worth tacking a day or two onto your trip to visit it.

While not a town, as one of Germany’s major cities, Hamburg goes all out for choice come the festive season.

Have a merry and bright Christmas in Hamburg.

Not only does it have a more traditional Christmas Market at Rathausmarkt (complete with ice-skating and an enormous Christmas tree), but it also has a Winter Pride Hamburg LGBTQ+ Christmas market, as well as at least half a dozen others. Elsewhere in the city, families should check out ‘Winterdom’ : a seasonal amusement park filled with rides.

Delight in mulled wine and roasted chestnuts at Hamburg’s Christmas markets.

How to get there: Hamburg is extremely well connected by train and by road. By train, it is under two hours to Berlin, and four-and-a-half hours to Frankfurt.

Hamburg goes all out for choice come the festive season.

If you want to see more wintery sites while here, seeing the romantic castle of Schwerin Schloss dusted in white snow like a Christmas cake ticks every box. It can be reached from Hamberg in just over one-and-a-half hours by train or car.

See the majestic Schwerin Schloss castle covered in snow.

4. Rothenburg ob der Tauber

When it comes to Christmas, it is hard to beat Bavarians for enthusiasm. Case in point: Rothenburg ob der Tauber in southern Germany.

The quiet streets of Rothenburg ob der Tauber are vibrantly adorned with Christmas decorations.

Not only might you spot a capering Krampus here, known as the dark twin of Saint Nicholas who gives out punishment to ‘naughty’ kids, instead of presents; but at Christmas time, the medieval town also gets a visit from the Rothenburg Reiterle in a nightly procession.

Take a leisurely walk along the medieval German town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

Thought to be originally based on the ancient Germanic god Wotan, who would collect deceased souls each winter, today the hooded and cloaked horseback rider known as the Rothenburg Reiterle has been re-branded to a charming traditional gift giver. Still, when he has passed on by, you might need to calm your nerves with a sweet schneeball pastry and a strong glass of glühwein from the Reiterlesmarkt.

Stroll down the streets of Rothenburg for old-fashioned Christmas cookies.

How to get there: Rothenberg is a three-hour journey by train and bus from Munich. Alternatively, a car trip from Munich will take just under three hours (but this option has the added potential of side trips).

Haven’t made it to the city of Nuremberg yet? It could be worth adding some days in Bavaria’s second-largest city, being just over an hour’s drive away (or just under two hours by public transport).

German Christmas markets kicks off the festive holiday season.

5. Nuremberg

It might be known for its wartime history and medieval architecture most of the year. But come December, Nuremberg also attracts visitors from around the world for its Christkindlesmarkt .

Pick up some festive gifts at Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt

The crowned ‘Christkind’ gift-bringer leads the opening festivities of the market, appearing every night afterwards. Make sure you buy a piping hot Nürnberger Rostbratwurst or a slice of local lebkuchen to try from one of the stalls.

Lebkuchenherzen , or gingerbread hearts, are popular in Nuremberg.

Did you think we were done? There is plenty else to do in Nuremberg for Christmas addicts. There is the Handwerkerhof craft village, the enchanting Toy Museum  and a ride on the Christmas Tram to embark on. Cap it off by dropping a few euros to climb up the spire of St. Sebaldus Church. Up there, you will discover a marvellous view of the city lights.

Take the kids on the Christmas Tram.

How to get there: As a major city, Nuremberg is connected to many of Germany’s other towns. From Munich, it is only a one-hour train or two-hour drive.

Find half-timbered houses and artisan shops in the Handwerkerhof craft village.

If you can’t get enough of the half-timbered houses that lend so much charm to the older villages in the region, take a trip to Bamberg. It’s famous for its early Medieval architecture, while still being considered less ‘touristy’ than other towns of its type and is only 35 minutes by train.

The Old Town Hall in Bamberg is notable for its medieval architecture.

Again, not a town, but grab the chance to shop both the old and the new in the Bavarian capital of Munich . The ‘new’ can be found in the districts of Kaufingerstrasse and Maximilianstrasse, with festive displays lighting up the faces of shoppers. Fill up your bag with holiday produce from the Viktualienmarkt food hall, or at least take a break from the Christmas madness in its beer garden.

Feel the magic of Christmas in Munich.

There are still plenty of Christmas markets here, with some of the most popular being Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz, as well as the Christmas Village in the Kaiserhof of the Residenz city palace.

Bring your little ones to Munich in the festive season.

Warm up with a touch of ice-skating (or ice-slipping) at Karlsplatz/Stachus, or, if you prefer, with a heavy plate of traditional Bavarian roast goose and potato dumplings ( kartoffelknödel ).

Stop by Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz.

How to get there: Munich is accessible by air to countries all over Europe, making it a handy starting point. From here, you can take trains and buses to many of the cities across Germany, with Nuremberg being one of the closest.

7. Baden-Baden

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the markets. Instead, give yourself a ‘Christmas present for me’ and book a treatment at the southwestern town of Baden-Baden. Located in the Black Forest region , Baden-Baden has long been famous for its thermal baths, with Caracalla and Friedrichsbad both top options.

Experience a wintery magical Christmas wonderland at Baden-Baden.

Refreshed? Time to go to the Christmas market at Baden-Baden’s Kurhaus or to take a stroll in the pretty nearby park of Lichtentaler Allee.

How to get there: Don’t miss the chance to explore the Black Forest. Perhaps best known for being the set of the dark fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm , this ethereal place is best explored by car.

Be transported into a Brothers Grimm fairytale in the Black Forest.

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Can’t wait to take a Christmas trip to these towns.

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The 10 Best Christmas Markets in Germany

From mountainous Christmas trees to medieval festivities, Germany is the ultimate holiday fantasy.

From late November until Christmas Eve, town squares all over Germany are buzzing with Christmas markets. As one of the most treasured traditions in Deutschland, big cities and small towns alike celebrate the advent season. So grab a hot mug of gluhwein and prepare to watch chestnuts roasting on an open fire in these can't miss holiday hot spots.

Frankfurt's Römerberg and St. Paul's Square Christmas Market

Nuremberg's Christkindlemarkt

You can only find the famous Nuremberg bratwurst in this small Bavarian city, which is a staple at it's Christmas Market along with the traditional gluhwein (a type of mulled wine) and gingerbread. But the attraction to Christkindlemark has very little to do with treats. Thousands attend the elaborate annual opening ceremony to see the Nuremberg Christkind , an angelic gift-giving figure in German Christmas tales, deliver her traditional Christmas speech to the crowd in Main Market square.

Cologne's Cathedral Christmas Market

The Cathedral Christmas Market in Cologne is one of six markets throughout the city. Come stroll through the 150 pavilions of traditional food and crafts, check out the largest tree in the Rhineland, and stop by the center stage for a range of Christmas performances and programs.

MORE: The Best Christmas Markets in London

Monschau's Weihnachtsmarkt

A small village nestled within mountains along the Belgium border, Monschau really comes alive at Christmastime. The town's Christmas decorations have proven to be so popular that the locals have opened up a year round House of Christmas. A day trip from Cologne or Düsseldorf, come watch the town illuminate at twilight while nibbling on their regional Monschauer Dütchen spongecake and sipping mulled wine before you head back to the city. With it's cobblestone streets, snow-topped half-timber houses, and winding stream it is nothing short of idyllic.

Aachen's Christmas Market

Built around the steps of Aachen Cathedral and the medieval town hall, Aachen's Christmas Market guarantees a breathtaking, old world backdrop as you wander around the stalls. Enjoy the festive lights as you try the town's Christmas specialty, a gingerbread-like cookie known as Aachener Printen that are made with a syrup from sugar beets.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber's Reiterlesmarkt

If you're craving a Christmas ambience with some real tradition to it this year, Rothenburg's ob der Tauber's Reiterlesmarkt will surely satisfy you. The medieval Bavarian town that looks like it leapt right off the pages of a storybook hosts a yearly Christmas market that dates back over 500 years.

Düsseldorf's Marktplatz

In the center of Düsseldorf's Old Town, Marktplatz offers a nod to the city's history. A gaze into the past with a stroll by local artisan wood turners, pewterers, brush makers, and glassblowers in Renaissance-style huts. Take a spin on the carefully restored 100-year old children's carrousel or stop by the life size hand-carved Christmas manger.

Munich's Marienplatz Christmas Market

Munich's Christmas market on the Marienplatz is the oldest and largest in Bavaria's capital. Enjoy the scenery of the New City Hall and the Munich Christmas tree in the background while you search for traditional trinkets like ornaments, nutcrackers, or tea lights to commemorate your German advent experience.

Dresden's Striezelmarkt

For an experience unlike any other German Christmas market, check out Dresden's medieval-themed market within the Residenzschloss palace. If jugglers and medieval cuisine aren't enticing enough, you can also take a break from the cold to heat up in the traditional public bathhouse.

Berlin's Berliner Weinachtszeit

Every Christmas season Alexanderplatz turns into a holiday wonderland with rides, refreshments, and souvenirs known as Berliner Weinachtszeit . In between enjoying a hot mug of mulled wine or digging into a bratwurst, take a spin around the market's ice skating rink or catch a view of the city from their giant ferris wheel.

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23 Best Christmas Markets to Visit In Germany

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Planning to visit Germany at Christmas time but aren’t sure which magical Christmas market to visit? In this guide we introduce you to 23 of the best Christmas markets in Germany so you know which ones to add to your itinerary.

Christmas markets are a holiday staple in Germany and one of the best reasons to visit in December! Christmas ( Weihnachten in German) is indeed one of my favorite times of year to visit Germany.

The Christmas lights decorating town squares, the delicious sweet and savory food and drinks, the traditions…it all adds up to a festive season that must be experienced like a local at least once.

I’ve celebrated Christmas in Germany (and Switzerland) several times, and one of my favorite ways to get into a festive mood is to visit local Christmas markets.

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There are no entrance fees, so you can come and go as many times as you’d like, and they’re the best place for sampling traditional German Christmas food and participating in German Christmas traditions.

Germany’s beautiful Christmas markets abound in Germany. Nearly every town has one and large cities often have a main market in the city center and several smaller ones scattered throughout the city.

If you visit Germany during the month of Advent (the 4 weeks before Christmas Eve) you shouldn’t have any problems finding a Christmas market. 

• 1 When Do German Christmas Markets Start and End? 
• 2 Are Christmas Markets Held Outdoors? Isn’t It Cold?! 
• 3 What’s The German Word for Christmas Market?
• 4 What’s The Best Time to Visit a Christmas Market? 
• 5 Are All Markets the Same? 
• 6 Where Are Christmas Markets Held?
• 7 What Can You Do at the Local Christmas Market?
• 8 What are the Best German Christmas Markets to Visit?
• 9 1. Stuttgart Christmas Market 
• 10 2. Munich Tollwood Winterfestival
• 11 3. Dresden Striezelmarkt (Dresden Weihnachtsmarkt)
• 12 4. Berlin Weihnachtsmarkt at the Roten Rathaus  
• 13 5. Rhein Villages Weihnachtsmarkt 
• 14 6. Ludwigsburg Weihnachtsmarkt 
• 15 7. Nürnberg Weihnachtsmarkt  
• 16 8. Aachen Weihnachtsmarkt  
• 17 9. Heidelberg Weihnachtsmarkt 
• 18 10. Weihnachsmarkt am See, Konstanz
• 19 11. Bremen Weihnachsmarkt
• 20 12. Kassel Weihnachsmarkt
• 21 13. Regensburg Weihnachsmarkt
• 22 14. Frankfurt Weihnachsmarkt
• 23 15. Düsseldorf Weihnachsmarkt
• 24 16. Bonn/ Siegburg Weihnachsmarkt
• 25 17. Berlin Gendarmenmarkt 
• 26 18. Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market
• 27 19. Trier Christmas Market
• 28 20. Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Market
• 29 21. Leipzig Christmas Market
• 30 22. Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market
• 31 23. Bad Wimpfen Christmas Market

When Do German Christmas Markets Start and End? 

Traditional Christmas market dates vary a bit year to year because they’re only open during the month of Advent. Markets typically begin on the first weekend of Advent, which starts four weeks before Christmas Eve.

Depending on the year, Christmas markets will open in late November or early December. In smaller towns, Christmas markets may have slightly different start dates and may only be open on the weekends or specific days during the holiday season.

Most markets end by December 23 and are not open on or after December 24 (Christmas Eve). That said, in large cities or very touristy locations, you might find a Christmas market open through New Years or even into January (but not on the three days of Christmas). If there’s a market you really want to visit, confirm its opening dates and times ahead of time.

Are Christmas Markets Held Outdoors? Isn’t It Cold?! 

Yes. And, yes! I have so many memories of freezing my butt off with my friends at the local Christmas market when I lived in Germany. Ha! But that’s part of the charm. It just wouldn’t be the same if it were held indoors. My advice? Bundle up, wear warm socks, and drink a mug of Glühwein or three if you start to shiver.

Here’s what I recommend for your Christmas market visit:

• Merino wool everythin g – definitely a travel staple for me because it it’s lightweight, doesn’t wrinkle, keeps you warm, and doesn’t retain odors . My must-haves: wool hat, gloves, sweater, and if it’s really cold, a base layer shirt and leggings. (Yep, I’ve worn all of that to the Christmas market in Germany…some years it gets COLD!)
• Secret pocket scarf – a scarf is must in cold, wintery Germany, and the secret pocket keeps important items safe! Check out my guide here so you can find the best scarf for your trip.
• Hand warmers – either disposable or reusable (for when you’re not holding a mug of Glühwein). 
• Merino wool knee socks – because you won’t enjoy the Christmas market if your feet are freezing (been there, done that).  

Click here to see our packing list for Germany!

What’s The German Word for Christmas Market?

That depends… Weihnachtsmarkt is the standard word for Christmas market but you may also see Christkindlemarkt, Streizelmarkt, Reiterlesmarkt  or other regional variations. 

What’s The Best Time to Visit a Christmas Market? 

It depends on what you’re looking for. For entertainment and kids programs go on the weekends. That’s also usually the busiest time to visit. I once went to the Nürnberg Christmas market on a Saturday afternoon and it was so crowded we could hardly walk! 

Afternoons during the work week are typically the least crowded (just check to make sure smaller markets are open). If you want to avoid crowds or shop, go earlier in the day. If you want a festive mood, go in the evening when all the lights are twinkling. 

Grab our FREE Germany Trip Planning Checklist Now!

Are All Markets the Same? 

Most have the same staples: they’re held outdoors, have rows of decorated stalls selling crafts, wooden toys and traditional German Christmas decorations, and offer a variety of typical German street food , drinks, and desserts and sweets .

But each market has its own personality, traditions, and local flavor. That’s why it’s so fun to visit lots of different markets all over Germany!

Where Are Christmas Markets Held?

Typically, you’ll find the holiday food stalls and traditional wooden huts in the city center main square where the old town hall and other historic buildings are concentrated. It’s easy to visit these popular markets via public transportation because these town squares are in the heart of each city, town or village. Some big cities (like Berlin) will have multiple markets throughout the metro area.

What Can You Do at the Local Christmas Market?

• Eat German Christmas market food . Bratwurst, grilled potatoes, potato pancakes, and grilled mushrooms are a few of my favorites. There are lots of other things to eat, as well! 
• Drink Glühwein (hot mulled wine) in a special Christmas market mug. (Note – you’ll be required to pay a Pfand , which is a deposit on the mug. You’ll get the deposit back when you return the mug. Or forfeit your deposit and keep the mug as a souvenir!). You can also get other drinks like hot chocolate, tea, beer, water, etc. 
• Enjoy German Christmas desserts, nuts, and sweets . Gebrannte Mandeln   (cinnamon roasted almonds), Lebkuchen (German gingerbread), Stollen (German Christmas bread), Marzipan, cookies , candy, waffles, cakes , crepes, pastries, hot roasted chestnuts…and much more. 
• Shop for traditional German Christmas ornaments and decorations . Wander the many wooden stalls and you’ll find a variety of traditional handicrafts, cute wooden and straw ornaments, (sometimes handmade, but not always!), wooden “smokers”, wooden Christmas pyramids, candles, and a variety of other market- or region-specific traditional crafts. It’s a great place to do some Christmas shopping!
• Find German Christmas gifts.  Christmas markets are full of fun items that make great gifts for friends and family of all ages. Christmas market mugs, ornaments and decorations, wooden toys, and more. 
• Enjoy the festive Christmas season!  Some markets offer music, entertainment, programs for kids, and carnival rides. It’s just fun to get a drink and a snack and hang out. 

What are the Best German Christmas Markets to Visit?

There are so many different Christmas markets all over Germany, so you have a wide variety to choose from. Whether you’re looking for big city markets, more intimate village markets, quirky markets, medieval markets, or something else, you’ll find it in Germany!

Here are first-hand tips for visiting 23 of the best Christmas markets in Germany .

1. Stuttgart Christmas Market 

Stuttgart has one of the largest Christmas markets in Germany and is one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe! Located in the city center, this quintessential market is only a short walk from the train station, so it makes for an easy day trip if you’re staying outside the Stuttgart area .

Whether you visit during the day or evening, on a weekday or weekend, you’re sure to have an enjoyable, not to mention delicious time enjoying the advent season at the Stuttgart Weihnachtsmarkt. When I lived in Stuttgart I’d walk through this famous Christmas market nearly every day, as it was on my way home!

While Stuttgart has all of the German Christmas market favorites – food, drinks, craft stalls, and festive decorations, it also offers several holiday concerts given by choirs and music groups from around the Stuttgart area. This market also has several fun activities that make it the perfect place for the whole family: a Christmas fairyland, a mini train, ice skating rink, kids’ ferris wheel, and opportunities to bake your own gingerbread hearts or make your own candles. There’s also a live nativity scene. If you’re in Stuttgart on the market’s opening day, you can watch the live tree lighting! 

There are several hotels near the Stuttgart Christmas market. I’ve recently stayed at and enjoyed both Motel One and Hotel Unger . Both offer breakfast, comfortable rooms, and are only a short walk from both the train station and the Christmas market. 

Click here for our ultimate Stuttgart Christmas Guide!

Stuttgart Christmas Market Dates:  generally around Nov 27 to December 23 (10 or 11am – 9 or 10pm) 

2. Munich Tollwood Winterfestival

If you are looking for a unique Christmas market experience, definitely check out the Tollwood Winterfestival in Munich. It is an alternative Christmas Market/Festival that concentrates on raising awareness on environmental issues.

Whether you want to enjoy some free live music, have a nice cup of mulled wine or enjoy delicious food from all over the world, Tollwood Winterfestival is the place to be. Especially for food, you’ll have endless choices. My favourites are savoury crepes and cheese fondue.

For drinks, I do love mulled wine but if you are looking for something more exciting, try a Feuerzangenbowle. It literally translates to “fire-tong punch” and it is exactly that. A rum-soaked flaming cone of sugar drips into the mulled wine to give it that extra twist.

For a nice hostel close to Tollwood Winterfestival, try the Wombats at the Munich central station. You can walk to Tollwood from there and are generally in a great location to explore the rest of Munich.

via Valerie at Valerie’s Adventure Time

Munich Christmas Market (Tollwood Winterfestival) Dates: generally around Nov 26 to December 23 (Mon – Fri 2pm – 12:30am / Sat & Sun 11am – 12:30am)

3. Dresden Striezelmarkt (Dresden Weihnachtsmarkt)

The main Christmas market in Dresden is called the Striezelmarkt and it’s the oldest German Christmas market. It’s located in the old town square in Dresden and it’s popular both among locals and tourists from all over the world. The Christmas market ticks off every criterion as the perfect place to get the holiday spirit going.

The Dresden Christmas market offers plenty of food and drink stalls serving all kinds of Bratwurst, and variations of the famous Glühwein along with other hot beverages to keep you warm. As for something sweet to eat, I recommend that you get some handmade marzipan, it’s the best!

There is also a wide range of vendors in Striezelmarkt which are selling decorations, ornaments, and other Christmasy handicrafts. The old town in Dresden is full of hotels and apartments that you can rent via Airbnb. It’s recommended to book your accommodation some months before as it’s a popular destination.

via Alex at The Swedish Nomad

Dresden’s Striezelmarkt Market Dates: generally around Nov 27 to December 24 (10am – 9pm)

4. Berlin Weihnachtsmarkt at the Roten Rathaus  

The Weihnachtsmarkt at the Roten Rathaus is the largest and one of the most classic Christmas markets in Berlin (the German capital). It’s especially famed for its iconic ferris wheel where you can go for a ride.

In addition to that, there are many food stalls serving everything from Currywurst to local Bratwursts and various sweets that are baked with Christmasy spices. And of course, you’ll also find many stalls that sells Glühwein and other hot beverages. Hot apple cider is another favorite that you can find at the Roten Rathaus.

There is no entrance fee to this Christmas market in Berlin, so you can come and go as you please. The children can enjoy daily visits from the Santa Claus, and there is also a big ice skating rink where you can go for a spin on the ice.

Due to the central location of this Christmas market, you can easily access it from anywhere in Berlin, and there are plenty of hotels nearby.

via Christine at Christine Abroad

Berlin Christmas Market at Roten Rathaus Dates: generally around Nov 25, 2019 to Jan 6(11am – 10pm)Trier

5. Rhein Villages Weihnachtsmarkt 

My favorite German Christmas markets can be found in the cute villages situated along the Rhine river. Indeed, as they are nestled along the Rhine river bank, often with towering rocks in the back, they have a particularly enchanting atmosphere.

The most famous Rhine villages are Bacharach, Boppard, and Oberwesel. All of them have very picturesque Christmas markets that are set in the narrow streets of the Rhine villages. The most typical thing to drink at the Christmas Markets located in the Rhine villages is hot wine made in the Rhine Valley.

If you are looking for an extraordinary way to explore the best castles and towns on the Rhine , I highly recommend hopping from one village to another by boat. Distances are not very large and it’s the perfect way to enjoy more than only one German Christmas Market.

via Paulina at Paulina On The Road

6. Ludwigsburg Weihnachtsmarkt 

Ludwigsburg is located in southwest Germany about 20 minutes north of Stuttgart. Upon entering the Ludwigsburg Christmas market you will notice giant angels that spread their wings over the entire market. It’s quite a spectacle at night. Nestled between two beautiful baroque churches you will find a market with over 175 stalls of local foods, handcrafted goods and lots of Glühwein or hot mulled wine.

The real taste treat is the Ludwigsburg Lebkuchen. It’s the gingerbread snack that put Ludwigsburg on the map when they were registered in the Guinness Book of Records with the World’s Largest Gingerbread.

Try the Dinnede or local Swabian flatbread loaded with cheese and your choice of toppings. There is even a veggie version that will have you remembering it for a long time to come.While in town don’t miss another baroque masterpiece the Ludwigsburg Residential Palace. Even in the winter it’s a magnificent showpiece that highlights this memorable city.

via Sue at Food Travelist

Ludwigsburg Christmas Market Dates: generally around Nov 28 to December 23 (11am to 8:30 or 9 pm) 

7. Nürnberg Weihnachtsmarkt  

The Christkindlesmarkt in Nürnberg (Nuremberg, in English) is known for being one of the best Christmas markets in Europe. Centered in the city’s Hauptmarkt, the festivities in Nuremberg have the beautiful 14th-century Frauenkirche church as a backdrop, with choirs and bands singing and playing seasonal songs for the shoppers.

In the lines of vendors that stretch out from the church, you’ll find handmade glass ornaments, nutcrackers, and smokers alongside Nuremberg’s traditional “prune people” (Zwetcshgenmännle) decorations. If you’re lucky, you might just catch a glimpse of the Christkind—the Nuremberg Christmas Angel who is a symbol of the market and of Christmas itself.

As with other Christmas markets in Germany, food is a star in Nuremberg. One of the most popular items are Nurembergers, small marjoram-flavored pork sausages that have been staples in Nuremberg for centuries. They’re most often sold as three in a bun with a bit of strong mustard.

If you prefer something sweet, try the Lebkuchen—or gingerbread—that’s been part of Nuremberg culinary tradition since the 14th century. But skip the shapes that are highly embellished with bright icing—those are more for decoration than eating.

via Laura at  TravelAddicts.net

Nuremberg Christmas Market Dates:  generally around Nov 29 to December 24 (10am – 9pm, on 12/24 10am – 2pm)

8. Aachen Weihnachtsmarkt  

If you are looking for another example of a quintessential German Christmas Market, look no further than the old town of Aachen. What makes this market so beautiful is the location – the market weaves through the old town and around landmarks like the historic Aachener Dom (Cathedral) and the stunning Aachen Rathaus (Town Hall).

While you’re visiting the Aachen Christmas Market, you have to sample Printen – a Christmas cookie (similar to gingerbread) specific to the region. If you want something savoury, grab yourself a Reibekuchen (a potato pancake).

As fans of historic architecture, we really enjoyed walking around the old town and exploring the market while indulging in the sights and sounds. The lights strewn across the cobblestone alleyways make for a very festive atmosphere. Oh, and don’t forget to have a mug or two of Glühwein!

via at Eric  Penguin and Pia

Aachen Christmas Market Dates:  generally around Nov 22 to December 23 (11am – 9pm / Nov 22 & Dec 23 11am – 8pm) 

9. Heidelberg Weihnachtsmarkt 

Heidelberg does not have a huge Christmas market, but it’s definitely one to visit if you want to celebrate the season with the locals instead of other tourists.

The city has several holiday markets, but the majority of them are along the main pedestrian street, Haupstrasse, and the squares that border it. One of the most unique places to celebrate is the market at Karlsplatz, where people can ice skate in the shadow of Heidelberg Castle, perched high on the mountain behind the square.Afterwards, enjoy a cup of Glühwein and Flammkuchen (a thin crust pizza with caramelized onions, bacon, and cheese), a local specialty.

My kids thought this was one of the best things to eat at the market.Skip the Schneeball, a ball of shortcrust pastry covered in different toppings. It looks tempting, but it’s not worth the money. Stay at Hotel Goldener Falke which offers the perfect location for exploring the Old Town.

via Kirsten at  Kids Are a Trip

Heidelberg Christmas Market Dates:  generally around Nov 25 – Dec 22 (Sun-Fri 11am – 9pm / Sat 11am-10pm ) 

10. Weihnachsmarkt am See, Konstanz

The name of this market means “Christmas market on the lake.” As you would expect, it takes place all around the shores of  Lake Constance , and even on the lake itself! In addition to the many stalls around the lake selling local handicrafts and refreshments, there are even more stalls on the “Christmas Ship” moored in the harbor. You’ll also find an ice bar on board with a 360° panoramic view.

One of the most popular dishes among omnivores and vegetarians at Weihnachsmarkt am See is Käsespätzle, a southern German dish of fresh egg pasta and cheese. Vegans are best off heading to one of the Indian or Moroccan stalls instead. My personal favorite is the samosa chaat at Bombay Hut. This Indian street food snack consists of two vegetable samosas covered in a chickpea curry and various chutneys.

If you’re looking for something sweet, look for heart-shaped, chocolate-covered gingerbread cookies. I believe we found them at a shop in Konstanz rather than at a market stall, but some stalls may have them too. It’s not uncommon for gingerbread to be accidentally vegan, you just have to check.

via Wendy at The Nomadic Vegan

Konstanz Christmas Market Dates:  generally around Nov 28 – Dec 22, 2019 (11am – 8pm) 

11. Bremen Weihnachsmarkt

In the old town square, under the watchful eyes of the town musicians immortalized by the Brothers Grimm, is the largest of Bremen’s Christmas markets.

Whether you wander around the square or stroll along the Schlachte promenade on the banks of the River Weser, you’ll be tempted by the enticing festive aromas coming from the market stalls – roast chestnuts and almonds, gingerbread, and, of course, Glühwein.

This being Germany, no visit is complete without trying a sausage or two or, if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, how about a smoked eel? They may look like overripe bananas but don’t be fooled!

If you have more of a sweet tooth you really won’t be disappointed – take your pick from Schaumkuss (chocolate covered marshmallows), Paradiesapfel (decorated candied apples), marzipan in many forms, and poffertjes (small fluffy pancakes sprinkled with icing sugar and, in my case, generously doused in Baileys). Food heaven for any visitor!

Alison at  Alison in Andalucia

Bremen Christmas Market Dates:  generally around Nov 25 – Dec 23, 2019 (10 or 11am – 8:30 or 9pm) 

12. Kassel Weihnachsmarkt

As a fan of small towns and lesser-known destinations, I absolutely fell in love with Kassel and its Christmas market. Known as the Kassel Märchenweihnachtsmarkt (fairy tale Christmas market in English), the town falls along the country’s fairy tale route which pays tribute to the iconic Brothers Grimm fables.

Each year one of the tales is chosen as the theme for the market, adding an extra splash of magic to the overall experience. Since it changes each year, you’ll always find something new and exciting about the market!

One thing that’s always consistent is the food – and it’s downright delicious. I highly recommend their Champignons mit Knoblauchsoße (mushrooms with garlic sauce) which pairs nicely with their Glühwein (mulled wine). It’s the perfect combination of savoury and sweet… unless you get the sour cherry Glühwein! As if this wasn’t enough to persuade you to visit, it’s one of the few markets across Germany that’s open past Christmas Day!

Lindsay from  I’ve Been Bit

Kassel Christmas Market Dates:  generally around Nov 25 – Dec 30, 2019 (11am – 8pm) 

13. Regensburg Weihnachsmarkt

While you can find amazing German fests in Regensburg almost any time of year, it’s the Christmas Markets in this cobblestoned German Bavarian town that steals people’s hearts.

While many popular Christmas Markets get their notoriety because of their size, what is unique about Regensburg is that it isn’t just one. Instead, you can find upwards of 6 markets sprinkled across the picturesque town. And since Regensburg is so easy to walk, you can be to the next market within minutes, all while sipping a Glühwein or window shopping along the way.

And instead of finding the same trinkets you might find anywhere, each market has a nice little unique flair of its one. For example, at one, you’ll find all the “usuals” such as ornaments, nativity scenes, etc. But at another, there may be local artisans selling their handmade goods, or you might even see sheep at another.

Of course, don’t forget the endless delicious food options. Drink a Feuerzangenbowle (mulled wine with a rum soaked sugar cube lit on fire!), savor a crepe, try some Schupfnudeln (German “noodles” with sauerkraut and bacon). Regardless of what you eat, drink or which markets you make it to, you’ll find yourself holly and jolly for sure!

via LeAnna at  Economical Excursionists

Regensburg Christmas Market Dates:  generally around Nov 25 to December 23, 2019 (10am to 8 or 9pm) 

14. Frankfurt Weihnachsmarkt

Frankfurt is known as a very modern city with an important financial district, but they do have an amazing charming Christmas market every year. Although the Christmas market in Frankfurt is not the most popular or well-known market in Germany, it is the oldest in the world!

The history of the market goes back to 1393 and across the old half-timbered houses in Altstadt, you will find the tallest Christmas tree in Germany. While the music fills the streets, you can try different kinds of sweets and snacks at over more than 240 stalls. Try one of the chocolate glazed pretzels with a hot cup of Glühwein and soak in the Christmas spirit!

Book your stay at the Lindley Lindenberg hotel, one of the coolest design hotels in town.

via Denise at  inhetvliegtuig

Frankfurt Christmas Market Dates:  generally Nov 25 to December 22 (10 or 11am – 9pm)

15. Düsseldorf Weihnachsmarkt

Düsseldorf’s Christmas markets bring a festive atmosphere to the city just when the winter chill sets in over the Rhine.

The city’s squares and streets are lit up and there’s no better way to get into the festive spirit than a visit to one of the seven markets scattered across the city, all within easy walking distance. Here you will find all kinds of Christmas delights at over 200 Swiss-style wooden chalets featuring local arts and crafts, handcrafted jewelry, and other gifts all while sipping on hot spiced wine or hot chocolate well into the night.

A stroll on the promenade or along the world-famous Königsallee is a must at this time of the year featuring giant chestnut trees and decorated with thousands of lights and garlands.

via Rai at  A Rai of Light

Düsseldorf Christmas Market Dates:  generally around Nov 22 to December 30 (generally 11am- 8pm) 

16. Bonn/ Siegburg Weihnachsmarkt

Germany is jam-packed with Christmas markets, all geared to get you into the festive spirit. But we believe that the cosy little market in the small hamlet of Siegburg, near Bonn in the North Rhine Westphalia district of Germany provides more than just yuletide fare.

This gorgeous gem of a market transports you back into time to a more traditional, medieval Germany. The market aims to give you an authentic look at what the country was like in medieval times: it operates without electricity (using lanterns and candles instead), focusses on using language and dress or attire from those times, and the goods and entertainment on offer definitely channel the Middle Ages: think blacksmiths, jugglers and minstrels!

The food matches the scene. You must eat the bread – Germans are known for their thick, crusty bread but these are baked in a traditional outdoor oven. If you’re a fan of pork, indulge in the suckling roasted pig and for the sweet lovers, head to the Zimtbrezeln stand, which offers German pretzels doused in cinnamon and sugar.

via Lee at  The Travel Scribes

Siegburg Christmas Market Dates:  generally around Nov 23 to December 22 (generally 11am – 8 or 9pm) 

17. Berlin Gendarmenmarkt 

If you really want to experience WeihnachtsZauber (Christmas Magic) in Berlin then you need to visit the Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market located centrally near Friedrichstrasse, Unter den Linden, and Leipziger Strasse. You can even stay near it at the Hilton Berlin Hotel located across the street.

This market is arguably one of the most beautiful in Berlin surrounded by French and German cathedrals and a concert hall. It’s lit up with glowing stars on every tent and you’ll find plenty of Christmas ornaments, tasty food, and Glühwein (mulled wine). All of this makes the Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market very popular and one of my favorites.

Be sure to grab yourself a German sausage and candied nuts as you walk around and take in the sights. The ambiance of this market will certainly win you over!

via Jose from  My Normal Gay Life

Berlin Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market Dates:  generally Nov 25 to December 31 (11am – 10pm / Dec 24 11am – 6pm / New Year’s Eve 11am – 1am) 

18. Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market

The most famous of Cologne Christmas markets is the Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market. People from all over the world visit this market because of its impressive location – right at the base of the iconic Cologne Cathedral in the city center.

At night, everything is illuminated by the Christmas tree, giving the historic buildings surrounding the market an extra festive look. Take in the sights as you walk around the stalls offering a delicious assortment of Christmas German sweets and traditional ornaments. 

Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market Dates: November 21 to December 23, 2022

19. Trier Christmas Market

The Trier Christmas Market is a small but charming market located in Trier, an old town on the banks of the Moselle valley. The city is surrounded by Roman ruins, which gives the Christmas market its unique atmosphere. In the main square, you’ll find the Trier Cathedral which has a beautiful castle-like exterior.

There are fewer stalls compared to the bigger markets, but you’ll still be able to find all the Christmas market staples like Glühwein and Marzipanstollen. There are also programs you can watch such as historic puppet theater or performances to regional music.

Trier Christmas Market Dates: November 18 to December 22, 2022 (Closed on Sunday, November 20) (Monday through Thursday 10:30am – 8:30pm, Friday and Saturday 10:30am – 9:30pm, Sunday 11:00am – 8:30pm)

20. Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Market

The Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a medieval walled city high above the Tauber River. During Advent season, the old city transforms into a beautiful Christmas winter wonderland.

The picturesque winding streets and square are lined with booths, making everything look like a storybook Christmas village. Delight in traditional Franconian specialties like Schneeball, finely-seasoned gingerbread Lebkuchen, and of course, Glühwein.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Market Dates: November 25 to December 23, 2022

21. Leipzig Christmas Market

The Leipzig Christmas market is one of the oldest and largest in Germany. There are over 250 stalls decorated with twinkling lights and ornaments located in the historic city center. You’ll find everything from classic German Christmas goodies to a traditional medieval market.

You’ll also find a wide variety of attractions like Santa Claus’ office hours for children, the giant Christmas tree towering over the plaza, and a daily traditional trombone concert at the balcony of Old Town.  

Leipzig Christmas Market dates: November 22 to December 23, 2022 (Sunday to Thursday 10am – 9pm, Friday and Saturday 10am to 10pm)

22. Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market

The Ravenna Gorge Christmas market boasts of one of the most breathtaking and surreal locations: it’s located beneath the historic railway viaduct of Devil‘s Valley Railway and surrounded by the Black Forest. It’s even more beautiful and fairytale-like when it snows, covering all the wooden stalls in white.

The market stalls highlight local artisans from the Black Forest region where you can buy handmade wooden carved sculptures, glass-blown decorations, woolen socks and more! After Christmas shopping make sure to enjoy local delicacies like Black Forest cake.

Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market dates: The market is only open Friday to Sunday starting November 25 to December 18, 2022. (Nov 25 – 27, Dec 2 – 4, Dec 9 – 11, Dec 16- 18)

23. Bad Wimpfen Christmas Market

This town is magical during Christmas market season! Traditional stalls and booths line the cobblestone streets of this super cute small town overlooking a beautiful valley. After a short walk from the train station, you can spend a very enjoyable afternoon or evening here wandering through not only the Christmas market but the narrow streets and pathways throughout this delightful town.

Don’t miss the surprisingly narrow half-timber house on Badgasse. Even better? Spend the night in a castle (Burg Homburg)!

Bad Wimpfen Christmas Market dates: This market is open Friday – Sunday from late November to mid-December.

Cate has been traveling to Germany for 30+ years. She has lived in Germany, taught college German, and has a PhD in German Applied Linguistics. She loves helping travelers plan their dream trips to Germany!

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Where to Spend Christmas in Germany: 15 Festive Destinations

• By Christian Brandt
• November 20, 2023

Are you wondering where to spend Christmas in Germany? In this post, I will take you on a festive journey through 15 enchanting destinations where you can experience the true magic of the holiday season. From charming Bavarian towns to bustling cities adorned with twinkling lights, Germany offers a wide array of options for every kind of traveler.

So, whether you crave a traditional Christmas market experience or dream of a cozy countryside retreat, I’ve got you covered. Get ready to delve into rich traditions, marvel at stunning decorations, and taste mouthwatering treats that make spending Christmas in Germany an unforgettable experience. Let’s dive into the festive wonderland and discover the best places to create lasting holiday memories!

1) Nuremberg

Nuremberg comes alive during the Christmas season, thanks to its famous Christkindlesmarkt. Dating back to at least 1628, this iconic Christmas market is a major draw, attracting thousands of tourists annually. A standout at the market is the scrumptious Nürnberger Lebkuchen , a delightful gingerbread treat that’s a must-try for those with a sweet tooth. Don’t miss the original Nuremberg grilled sausages – a local specialty.

The Christkindlesmarkt goes beyond the Sister Cities Market, showcasing traditional goods from around the world . It’s a chance to soak in Nuremberg’s charm while experiencing global cultures during the holiday season. For a unique keepsake, consider the popular Prune Men figurines, crafted from prunes and symbolizing the Christkindlesmarkt.

To fully embrace the Christmas spirit, hop on a charming mail coach trip around the market. This nostalgic journey adds an old-world touch, providing a different perspective to enjoy the sights and sounds.

Beyond the Christkindlesmarkt, Nuremberg offers more attractions like museums and the Nuremberg Imperial Castle, making it an ideal destination for a festive holiday getaway.

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Explore the festive charm of Dresden, a captivating city in Germany celebrated for its classical music, baroque beauty, and top-notch museums. When Christmas arrives, Dresden undergoes a magical transformation into a winter wonderland, providing a range of enchanting experiences.

A standout feature of Dresden’s Christmas festivities is its traditional markets, with the Dresdner Striezelmarkt being a must-visit . This market, Germany’s first Christmas market, boasts over 200 stalls, creating a magical atmosphere with its Christmas pyramid, Saxon specialties, and hand-carved wooden Christmas trees. The markets also showcase Dresden’s rich nutcracker craftsmanship, displaying beautifully crafted figurines.

Adding to the holiday ambiance, Dresden features a lively classical music scene. Nightly performances at Kreuzkirche church and Christmas concerts at Frauenkirche and Semperoper infuse the festivities with musical magic.

Don’t forget to check out the yearly Christmas Garden at Pillnitz Palace for a delightful visual experience. Elaborate light shows light up the palace and its surroundings, creating a mesmerizing display. Follow the walking trails adorned with dazzling lights to fully soak in the Christmas atmosphere.

Dresden’s Christmas vibe gets an extra boost from its beautiful baroque architecture and charm. As you wander through the streets, you’ll encounter stunning buildings, parks, fountains, and the iconic Semperoper Opera House. And for a peek into the city’s artistic legacy, make sure to visit the Old Master’s Picture Gallery.

3) Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Explore the charming town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Bavaria, Germany, known for its enchanting Christmas celebrations. With its medieval charm and a traditional Christmas market, Rothenburg ob der Tauber provides a unique and magical holiday experience. The town’s main square transforms into the Reiterlesmarkt, a traditional Christmas market that has existed for over 500 years. Unlike larger markets, the Reiterlesmarkt maintains authenticity and is less commercialized , offering the chance to enjoy Glüwein (warm mulled wine) and savor delicious bratwurst while perusing stalls filled with unique Christmas ornaments.

A standout feature of the Christmas season in Rothenburg ob der Tauber is the Advent calendar spectacle. The town hall’s windows become an advent calendar, with a new window lighting up each night of Advent , creating anticipation and excitement as visitors gather for the unveiling.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is also home to Käthe Wohlfahrt, a top seller of Christmas ornaments . The town boasts two shops where you can purchase exquisite and one-of-a-kind decorations. Additionally, Käthe Wohlfahrt houses the world’s only Christmas village museum, showcasing the rich history and tradition of Christmas celebrations in Germany.

Immersing yourself in the Bavarian holiday traditions of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is an experience not to be missed, from the medieval charm of the town to the traditional Christmas market, offering a truly magical Christmas experience.

4) Heidelberg

One of the top 15 festive destinations in Germany to spend Christmas is the picturesque town of Heidelberg. Known for its charming Christmas markets scattered throughout the town , including at Schloss Heidelberg and Neuberg Abbey.

As you explore these markets, the magical atmosphere blends seamlessly with the backdrop of the town’s medieval architecture. Take a stroll through the stalls, treating yourself to the delicious food and drink on offer. Don’t miss out on trying the soul-warming Glühwein, served in festive Christmas mugs.

For a unique twist, consider taking a boat trip along the Neckar River to reach the Christmas market at Neuberg Abbey. Browse through a variety of crafts and souvenirs, from felt slippers to Christmas tree decorations. And for those seeking a stronger beverage, the Feuerzangenbowle is a must-try . This traditional German drink involves a sugar cone soaked in rum, flamed in front of you, creating a fascinating and delicious spectacle.

In Heidelberg, Christmas transforms the town into a magical hub of festive cheer. Whether you’re hunting for unique gifts, savoring local cuisine, or simply immersing yourself in the enchanting atmosphere, the Christmas markets in Heidelberg promise an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages.

Moving on to another festive destination in Germany, we now turn our attention to Cologne. The city is known for its various Christmas markets, which are a must-visit during the holiday season. One of the unique features of the Cologne Christmas markets is the collection of Christmas mugs. Each market has its own distinct theme, and the mugs are specially designed to match the theme. These mugs make for a perfect souvenir or gift and can be returned for a deposit or exchanged for a clean one.

Speaking of exploration, the different themes at the Cologne Christmas markets offer a unique experience at each location. From the Dom Market, set up next to the impressive Cologne cathedral , with its red stalls and Christmas decorations, to the Heinzels Wintermärchen market , where Altmarkt focuses on home goods and decorations while Heumarkt has a carnival feel with an ice skating rink and carousel, there is something for everyone.

In addition to the festive atmosphere, the Cologne Christmas markets offer a wide range of food and shopping options. The Dom Market not only has delicious food stalls but also specialty shops where you can find unique gifts for your loved ones.

Located in central Germany, Erfurt offers a magical Christmas experience with its historic architecture, enchanting Christmas market, and snowy winter wonderland. Although there is never a bad time to visit Erfurt, the best time for a visit is during the Christmas season, when the city comes alive with festive decorations and a joyful atmosphere.

This medieval bridge is adorned with charming half-timbered houses and offers stunning views of the city. As you explore Erfurt’s medieval architecture, be sure to visit the Erfurt Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture that houses many valuable treasures.

The Augustinian Monastery is another architectural marvel , with its beautiful cloister and stunning frescoes. Soak in the festive atmosphere, indulge in local delicacies, and immerse yourself in Erfurt’s rich history and enchanting charm this Christmas season.

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Berlin, with its vibrant atmosphere, stands out as a fantastic choice for a magical Christmas experience in Germany. The city comes alive during the holiday season, especially with its captivating Christmas markets that attract visitors from all over . The Berlin Christmas markets, a real highlight, offer more than just shopping – they provide a joyous atmosphere where the holiday spirit is contagious.

For families, there are plenty of family-friendly activities in Berlin during the Christmas season. From ice skating in Berlin’s many ice rinks to visiting Santa Claus at the market, there is something for everyone. Children can also enjoy carousel rides and participate in various craft workshops.

Berlin market traditions are deeply rooted in the city’s history and culture. The markets are adorned with beautiful decorations, including twinkling lights and festive ornaments. You can also enjoy live music performances and traditional dances. Berlin truly comes alive during the Christmas season, and the markets are the perfect place to experience the magic of the holidays.

Nestled in northern Germany, Lübeck offers a charming and historical setting for celebrating Christmas with its renowned Christmas markets. With eleven different markets spread across the small UNESCO heritage awarded old town island , you are spoiled for choice. These markets, with over 200 stalls, are a treasure trove of traditional crafts, decorations, toys, and Christmas presents.

The heart of Lübeck can be found at the Christmas Market at Markt in front of the Rathaus. Against a scenic medieval backdrop, you can enjoy a variety of food and drink options. For those seeking a historical ambiance, the Historical Christmas Market at the feet of Marienkirche is a must-visit. Here, stalls selling items with historical features transport visitors to ancient times.

Families can also enjoy the Fairytale Forest at Marienkirche , where childhood story characters come to life. Children can even send their letters to Santa at the Postal office in the forest. Moreover, the Schrangen Christmas Market, located in a pedestrian street of the same name, offers a relaxed and quiet atmosphere with rustic food and drink options.

Continuing the exploration of festive destinations in Germany, we now turn our attention to Munich, a city known for its enchanting Christmas markets. With a total of 17 markets scattered throughout the city, Munich truly embraces the spirit of Christmas. The largest and oldest market, the Marienplatz Christkindlmarkt , is a must-visit. Here, you can immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere, surrounded by beautifully adorned stalls offering everything from handmade crafts to traditional Bavarian cuisine.

Munich’s Christmas markets are not only known for their festive decorations and delicious food but also for the variety of winter activities available. From ice skating in Karlsplatz to horse-drawn carriage rides through the city, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

In addition to the markets, Munich boasts its own cherished Christmas traditions. One such tradition is the Krampus Run, where costumed demons roam the streets , scaring children and adults alike. The city also hosts Advent concerts, where you can listen to traditional Christmas music performed by local choirs and orchestras.

10) Düsseldorf

Located along the Rhine River, Düsseldorf offers a unique and enchanting Christmas experience with its vibrant Christmas markets and festive atmosphere. One of the highlights of the city during the holiday season is its numerous Christmas markets. Each market has its own charm and specialties.

For those who love ice skating, the Königsallee is the place to be. It features an ice skating park, where you can glide across the ice surrounded by twinkling lights and the joyful laughter of fellow skaters. And if you’re in the mood for a ride, don’t miss the giant Christmas carousel located nearby.

For a truly picturesque experience, head to the Christmas market at Schlossturm. Here, a ferris wheel takes you high above the market, providing stunning views of the cityscape adorned with Christmas lights. The market itself creates a small Christmas village, complete with charming stalls selling handicrafts and delectable treats.

Lastly, the Benrather Schloss Christmas market is located at a lovely castle , surrounded by a picturesque park. This market is known for its delicious food stalls, offering a variety of dishes that will satisfy even the most discerning palate.

11) Freiburg

Freiburg, with its stunning medieval Altstadt and vibrant Christmas market, is a charming destination to experience the festive spirit in Germany. The city’s Christmas traditions come alive in its picturesque streets, where locals and visitors gather to celebrate the holiday season.

Apart from the Christmas market, there are plenty of winter activities to enjoy in Freiburg. The city’s location on the western edge of the Black Forest makes it an ideal base for outdoor adventures . Take a walk through the snow-covered forest trails, go skiing or snowboarding in the nearby mountains, or simply enjoy the peaceful beauty of nature.

When it comes to local cuisine, Freiburg offers a delightful array of traditional dishes to indulge in during the Christmas season. Enjoy hearty meals like Black Forest ham, sausages, and potato dumplings, accompanied by a glass of regional wine or hot mulled wine.

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12) Hamburg

Hamburg, with its vibrant Christmas markets and diverse festivities, offers a multitude of options for celebrating the holiday season in Germany. With 18 Christmas markets, this city is a true winter wonderland. Each market has its own unique atmosphere, from traditional and romantic to festive and frivolous, ensuring that there is something for everyone.

Craft beer lovers will also be in for a treat during the holiday season. Hamburg is home to several breweries, such as ÜberQuell and Altes Mädchen, where you can indulge in seasonal beers and experience the city’s thriving craft beer scene. For a trendy and unique experience, the Astra Brewery has opened a new brewery house on the famous Reeperbahn.

In addition to the Christmas markets, shopping opportunities, and craft beer, Hamburg offers a wide range of festive experiences. From the adults-only Santa Pauli market on the Reeperbahn to the extravagant Winter Pride market in the St. Georg distric t, there is no shortage of ways to celebrate the holiday season in this lively city.

13) Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Garmisch-Partenkirchen, nestled in the German Alps, offers a picturesque setting for a festive Christmas getaway. This charming ski resort is known for its beautifully decorated house facades, creating a magical atmosphere during the holiday season. The town’s Christmas market, held in the pedestrian zone of Garmisch , is a must-visit for those seeking traditional Christmas traditions and local cuisine.

In addition to the market, Garmisch-Partenkirchen offers a wide range of winter activities to enjoy. From skiing and snowboarding on the stunning slopes of the German Alps to taking romantic carriage rides through the town center, there is something for everyone. The town’s breathtaking scenery, with snow-covered mountains and pristine landscapes, provides the perfect backdrop for a memorable Christmas experience.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen truly comes alive during the holiday season, with festive decorations adorning the streets and the warm glow of Christmas lights illuminating the town. Whether you’re seeking traditional Christmas traditions, delicious local cuisine, or simply want to partake in winter activities, Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a destination that will exceed your expectations.

Nestled near the borders of Belgium and the Netherlands, Aachen offers a festive Christmas market in its historic old town, making it a popular destination (and one of the most underrated cities ) in Germany. The main attraction is the Christmas market, which takes place in the heart of the city, centered around the magnificent Aachen Cathedral and the Rathaus.

In addition to the Christmas market, Aachen has plenty of other attractions to offer. The Aachen Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site , is a must-visit. Take a guided tour to explore its stunning architecture and learn about its rich history. The city is also home to several museums and art galleries, where you can delve into the cultural heritage of the region.

And if you’re looking to explore beyond the city limits, there are nearby attractions such as the beautiful Eifel region with its scenic landscapes and charming villages. To enhance the festive experience, Aachen also hosts cultural performances throughout the holiday season. From carol singers to live music concerts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 

15) Stuttgart

Located in southwestern Germany, Stuttgart offers a delightful Christmas market experience with its historic charm and festive atmosphere. The city’s Christmas market, one of Europe’s oldest, is a must-visit attraction for locals and tourists alike. The market features traditional wooden huts selling a variety of items, including handmade crafts, ornaments, and local delicacies.

In addition to the Christmas market, there are several other attractions worth exploring in Stuttgart. The Winter Illuminations light show in Palace Square is a magical spectacle that shouldn’t be missed. The Stuttgart Library is also a new attraction, with its stunning interior and extensive collection of books.

Stuttgart also hosts a variety of cultural events during the holiday season. From music concerts to theater performances, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Finally, don’t forget to take part in the local tradition of sipping Glühwein, a warm mulled wine, as you stroll through the market, immersing yourself in the festive spirit of Stuttgart.

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So, there you have it – a comprehensive list of 15 festive destinations in Germany for spending Christmas. From the enchanting Christmas markets in Berlin and Nuremberg to the breathtaking beauty of the Bavarian Alps, Germany offers a wide range of options for a memorable holiday season.

Whether you’re looking for a traditional experience in a charming village or a vibrant atmosphere in a bustling city, Germany has something to offer for everyone. So, if you’re wondering where to spend Christmas in Germany, look no further than these wonderful destinations!

And if you are already planning your Christmas trip to Germany (or any other destination), be sure to  book your hotel ,  flight ,  rental car, and other travel essentials with Giving Getaway. Each completed booking helps fund Giving Getaway, with 50% of the commission going toward charitable events such as  the 2021 Christmas gift drive for kids and teenagers in a children’s home in Montenegro .

By choosing Giving Getaway for your travel needs, you’re not just embarking on a memorable journey—you’re also making a positive impact. Kickstart your travel plans now and contribute to a meaningful cause with Giving Getaway!

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8 Best Places To Spend Christmas In Germany

Christmas is the biggest holiday in the western hemisphere, and even though it is celebrated everywhere with spectacular events and glorious festivities, there is no place like Germany when it comes to Christmas spirit and cozy atmosphere.

Romantic towns with high castles and gorgeous timber-framed houses; medieval cobblestones with wooden stalls lighted and decorated to perfection; euphonic cathedrals with lyrical choirs and amazing orchestras.

For more than a month, every single city and village in Germany becomes a fairytale setting where magic flows all around and miracles seem possible. 

The German metropolis is vast, so naturally, there is an abundance of things to do and places to see during Christmas.

The number of events happening in the city during December is countless, and not a day passes without a remarkable concert, exhibition, or any other kind of happening taking place around the German capital.

Except for visiting the numerous markets and tasting all the seasonal delicacies, you can stroll Unter der Linden, the impressive tree-lined pedestrian way leading to Brandenburg gate which is always lit beautifully in Christmas; skate in one of the many ice rings; or do the New Year countdown in Brandenburg gate like a true Berliner.

If you want a break from the buzzing capital, a visit to the nearby city of Potsdam is a great side trip.

This elegant city can be considered newly build since its biggest part was bombed to smithereens back in World War 2.

It still hosts the oldest Christmas market in German, the famous Strielezmarkt, and even though that’s a great reason to visit Dresden during Christmas, it’s surely not the only one. Dresden has amazing architecture. Many of its marvelous buildings host intriguing museums and beautiful galleries all of which are worth visiting.

Take a walk on Bruhl’s Terrace along river Elbe, see the Furstenzug — a large mural depicting the rulers of Saxony, and of course, visit the Italian-inspired Cathedral and the city’s castle, a gorgeous building which survived the war and now hosts various museums and exhibitions.

Don’t forget to try stolen , the classic German Christmas fruitcake that has a dedicated festival in Dresden  Stollenfest, and fettbemme a kind of open sandwich with rye bread.

Wernigerode

A fairytale town in Harz Mountains, very close to summit Brocken that will make your Christmas holidays unforgettable.

Beautiful half-timber houses, a romantic castle on a green hilltop overlooking the whole town, and a classic market square in the middle of the historical center with an exquisite Rathaus (town hall) as the cherry on top.

To make things even more magical, steam locomotives pass through the town every day on their way to Brocken summit, moving slowly along a landscape of impeccable beauty.

Add a very good chance of snowing in December and you’ve got the stuff that Christmas dreams are made of. Naturally, there is a Christmas Market set on the square where you can listen to choirs singing while sipping your warm chocolate.

READ MORE: AMAZING FAIRY TALE TOWNS IN GERMANY

This old but lively university city in Upper Rhine plain is built on the banks of river Neckar and is the perfect place to experience the Advent and Christmas in Germany. Heidelberg’s baroque-style old town is homey and fascinating at the same time.

By the end of November, the first wooden stalls are set on the beautiful squares kicking off the festive season with their pretty lights and gorgeous decorations. The city’s Christmas Markets are the perfect spot to wander and taste the local delicacies on a cold December afternoon. Heidelberg is a deeply romantic city, and you get that vibe everywhere you go. The brightly lit castle on the slope above the old town, the magnificent Karl Theodore Bridge, and of course the Philosophers’ Way — a beautiful path along Neckar where university professors used to clear out their thoughts and find inspiration.

They all make Heidenberg a special place around Christmas time.

Though Nuremberg has gone down in history as the trial place of Nazis in WW2, it’s a beautiful city and one of the destinations you should definitely consider for a Christmas holiday in Germany.

At its cozy markets, you’ll have the chance to try the Nuremberg gingerbread and the local sausage known as Nurnberger. Delicious!

Don’t miss the chance to see the tunnels under the Old city which were used as brewery cellars in the medieval times, and visit the churches of St. Sebaldus and St. Lorenz with their twin towers soaring up the sky.

Talking about Christmas, a visit to the Toy Museum is rather obligatory, and if you’re into art, so is a visit to Albrecht Durer’s house.

A pristine historical center with cobbled streets and half-timber houses with flowers on the windows. This is Rothenburg, the city of 42 towers.

The fortified historical center is dominated by the big Market square and the impressive town hall, from the top of which you can catch some amazing views of the city.

Rothenburg doesn’t just have Christmas Markets, it hosts a whole Christmas village, and has the fame of the most beautiful Christmas city in Germany. It’s not an accident that it has served as the inspiration for many Disney productions.

One of the most famous places in the city is the Kathe Wohlfahrt shop which houses the biggest ornament and Christmas items collection in Germany. It’s mind-blowing. In the same building, you will also find the Christmas Museum with an extensive collection of Christmas exhibits from previous centuries.

For music, head to St. Jacob church, and listen to some of the most delightful choirs, as for food, you should definitely try the Franconian sausage and the traditional snowball pastries.

Built in Moselle valley, in the middle of a striking lush green landscape where the river has created a series of meanders, Cochem is a beautiful city co-existing in harmony with the nature surrounding it.

Colorful little houses and a dreamy castle overlooking the whole area compose a scenery of exquisite beauty which becomes even more magical and delightful during Christmas.

In Advent, the whole city lights up, casting a million reflections on Moselle River, and wooden stalls with all kinds of beautiful ornaments and handcrafts are set. The old town with the magnificent timber-framed houses surrounded by the three fortified city gates is the heart of Cochem.

Except that, you should also visit the old mustard mill, go for a boat ride, and why not, hike one of the century-old trails around the area. Cochem is not just another German city during Christmas, it’s a different experience.

Oberstdorf is the very definition of a picturesque alpine village. Built on a slope of the Bavarian Alps at the foot of Mount Nebelhorn, it’s the romantic kind of little village resort that you’ve many times encountered in Christmas movies.

Except for being beautiful, Oberstdorf is a paradise for skiers, hikers, and all kinds of outdoor people looking to spend their Christmas holidays in a nice place without being in front of a fireplace all the time.

Advent celebrations start in late November and reach their climax in mid-December. Usually, the Nebelhorn is covered in snow by then, posing as the perfect winter background to the small resort.

Naturally, there are small Christmas markets, numerous restaurants, and several après-ski activities to spend your time on and regroup before your next adventure. Definitely one of the most beautiful places in Germany to have a Merry Christmas.

You Can’t Go Wrong With Christmas in Germany

Christmas in Germany is a win-win. The vast number and diversity of winter destinations guarantee that there is a place for everyone, no matter what they’re looking for.

You can opt for a single place and spend there a week, getting comfortable and exploring every single inch, or you can choose a whole region and tour around the cities, small towns and villages collecting different experiences and taking advantage of the flawless German public transportation system. Either way, you can’t lose.

About the Author:  Chrisostomos Kamberis

A travel writer by profession and an adventurer at heart, Chris loves hiking long trails and climbing mountains as much as exploring metropolises and tasting street food in some of the most obscure places in the world.

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19 Germany Christmas Markets for Mulled Wine, Choir Music, and Gingerbread

By Siobhan Reid , Krystin Arneson , and Matt Ortile

In Germany, Christmas markets are synonymous with the holiday season , and Deutschland is the perfect December destination for whatever holiday shopping you want to do. Whether you’re there to see architecturally stunning medieval towns decked out in sparkling fineries, nosh on traditional cookies and cakes like lebkuchen and pfeffernüsse, or get in the seasonal mood by taking in the decorated trees, ribboned wreaths, and twinkling lights on delightfully cramped roads and wide public squares—any kind of holiday shopping is going to feel fabelhaft (that’s fabulous in German) when you’re sipping on mulled wine in the shadow of a strikingly beautiful castle in Germany . Christmas markets all over the world chase after what Germany’s got down to a T—well, fine, European Christmas markets overall are in a class all their own, with Germany’s festive fairs among them—but there's nothing like visiting the best of the best, right?

One of the finest ways to experience the holidays in Germany is a Christkindlmarkt (or Christmas market—or, if you're hanging around Berlin , a Weihnachtsmarkt), with hundreds of stalls selling local snacks and gifts, live music by local choirs and orchestras, and carnival-worthy entertainment like ferris wheels and even performances of The Nutcracker —on stilts.

Read on for 19 of the best Germany Christmas markets to visit this year, and our recommendations for where to stay at each.

This story has been updated with new information since its original publish date. All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt

Why we love it: The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt is one of the oldest and most well known Christmas markets in the world—a staple of the city since 1530. This little city of wood and cloth pops up every year at the market in the central square of Nuremberg's old town, the Hauptmarkt, where you can expect such goodies as handmade Christmas decorations, Spekulatius almond cookies, Lebkuchen (honey-sweetened German pastries), mulled wine, and more Nuremberg gingerbread than any one person can handle. The market also goes global in a cool way: Nuremberg's 13 sister cities—Antalya, Glasgow, and Prague among them—are featured in the Sister Cities’ Market, just north of the Christkindlesmarkt on the Rathausplatz, and their proceeds go to charity in their cities back home.

Where: Hauptmarkt, Nuremberg , Germany

When: December 1 to December 24

Nearest airport: Nuremberg Airport (NUE)

Where to stay: Karl August - a Neighborhood Hotel (0.06 miles away)

Historischer Weihnachtsmarkt Rathausmarkt

Why we love it:  Hamburg has no shortage of Christmas markets with more than 30 popping up annually in the German port city. Perhaps the largest and most classically Christmassy is the Historischer Weihnachtsmarkt Rathausmarkt , thoroughly decked with boughs of holly in front of the Rathaus—that's city hall in German, and where most cities in the country flaunt their festive fairs. For something a little different, the adults-only Santa Pauli Christmas market in the city's red light district features “spicy Christmas presents,” and Winter Pride , an market featuring LGBTQ+ creatives and artisans, donate their proceeds to Hamburg's queer community.

Where: Rathausmarkt, Hamburg , Germany

When: November 27 to December 23

Nearest airport: Hamburg Airport (HAM)

Where to stay: Tortue Hamburg (0.37 miles away)

Dresden Striezelmarkt

Why we love it: Founded as a one-day market in 1434, the  Dresden Striezelmarkt is Germany's oldest; this year, its stalls open for the 589th time. The annual focal points here are the 48-foot high Christmas pyramid, a historic Ferris wheel with candy-striped gondolas, and more than 200 stalls selling everything from buttery fruitcake and wooden toys to intricate glass ornaments. If you're a fan of collectibles, you're in luck: Striezelmarkt will sell yet another new edition of their collector's cups and taler coins. Yet another reason to make a habit of visiting

Where: Altmarkt, Dresden , Germany

When: November 29 to December 24

Nearest airport: Dresden Airport (DRS)

Where to stay: Gewandhaus Dresden, Autograph Collection (0.18 miles away)

Düsseldorf Christmas Market

Why we love it: Düsseldorf's  Christmas market is actually made up of six themed markets within walking distance of each other, which means that during the holidays the city's entire downtown turns into a veritable Weihnachtsmarkt, centered roughly around Corneliusplatz . One of the most popular is the Altstadt Markt, where the vendor huts are modeled after Düsseldorf’s historic burgher houses. Another, Kö-Lichter Markt, has stalls selling traditional sweets like nougat and gingerbread, plus an ice rink where visitors can go skating and try their hand at curling.

Where: Downtown Düsseldorf , Germany

When: November 23 to December 30

Nearest airport: Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)

Where to stay: Breidenbacher Hof (0.09 miles away from Corneliusplatz)

Shannon McMahon

Chris Schalkx

Caitlin Morton

Emily Pennington

Stuttgarter Weihnachtsmarkt

Why we love it:  Not only is the Stuttgarter Weihnachtsmarkt one of Germany’s most traditional and beloved markets, with a history stretching back to 1692, it’s also one of the most photogenic: The market’s 200 stalls are set against the backdrop of Stuttgart’s 10th-century Old Castle. As you settle in for nightly performances by local choirs and jazz orchestras, be sure to order a mulled wine and the ravioli-like maultaschen—a specialty of the region.

Where: Downtown Stuttgart (Schlossplatz, Schillerplatz, Karlsplatz, and Marktplatz), Germany

When: November 29 to December 23

Nearest airport: Stuttgart Airport (STR)

Where to stay: EmiLu Design Hotel (0.34 miles away)

Erfurter Weihnachtsmarkt

Why we love it:   Erfurter Weihnachtsmarkt sits smack dab in Erfurt's well-preserved old quarter, with St. Mary's Cathedral and the Church of St. Severus as part of its scenery. Hundreds of stalls on and around Domplatz, Fischmarkt, and Willy-Brandt-Platz squares sell traditional handicrafts like blue-dyed fabrics and pottery, as well as Thuringian bratwurst roasted on a grill and Erfurter Schittchen, a trademarked fruit bread that dates back to the 15th century. Other draws include an enchanted forest display on Domplatz square and an annual Christmas floral exhibition in the historical vaults of the Felsenkeller memorial.

Where: Erfurt's old town , Germany

When: November 28 to December 22

Nearest airport: Erfurt–Weimar Airport (ERF)

Where to stay: Mr. & Mrs. President (0.18 miles away)

Weihnachtsmarkt Schloss Charlottenburg

Why we love it: For a scene just as magical as  Berlin's Gendarmenmarkt—without as big of a crowd—head to the posh district of Charlottenburg, in the west of Berlin, to enjoy the annual  Christmas market . The action takes place in front of the magnificent Charlottenburg Palace, a Baroque beauty dating to the 17th century, with live choir music and 250 vendors selling traditional Christmas treats like wood-fired breads and creamy mushroom “Pilzpfanne.” Once you’re feeling warmed from the mulled wine, head to the palace's immaculate gardens for a stroll.

Where: Schloss Charlottenburg , Spandauer Damm 10-22, Berlin, Germany

When: November 27 to December 31

Nearest airport: Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)

Where to stay: Wilmina (1 mile away)

Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market

Why we love it:  This annual market may take the cake for the most picturesque setting of all. Located at the base of a 130-foot-high railway viaduct in Germany’s Black Forest, the Ravenna Gorge Christmas market is a scene straight out of a postcard: twinkling lights, snow-covered treetops, and the elegant sandstone arches of the rail crossing. Get off at Hinterzarten or Himmelreich station and take a free shuttle bus to the market, where you'll find stalls selling handmade Christmas wares and food like schäufele (smoked pork shoulder) and käsespätzle (egg pasta with cheese). Even more can be found nearby at the Hofgut Sternen, where the German poet Goethe once stayed. Just be sure to bring extra cash—unlike many of the other spots on this list, the market does charge an admittance fee.

Where: Ravenna Bridge , Breitnau, Germany

When: November 24 to December 17

Nearest airport: EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (MLH/BSL/EAP)

Where to stay: Hotel Hofgut Sternen (0.1 miles away)

Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market

Why we love it: In front of Cologne's landmark cathedral,  the Christmas market at Cologne Cathedral  offers all the trappings of a classic German spread: the glühwein, the crafts, and an 82-foot spruce, the largest Christmas tree in the region. The biggest attraction, however, is its entertainment. There are more than 100 stage performances throughout the festival, including Christmas swing music, sing-along concerts,  and gospel—all of which are free! It’s no wonder four million people show up every year. After you've had your fill of tunes—and food—head toward nearby Hohe Strasse and Schildergasse, two of Cologne's well-known shopping areas, to walk off all those bratwurst.

Where: Cologne Cathedral , Domkloster 4, Köln, Germany

When: November 23 to December 23

Nearest airport: Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN)

Where to stay: Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom (0.0 miles away—it's right across the street)

Berlin WeihnachtsZauber

Why we love it: Location, location, location. The German capital has upwards of 70 Christmas markets, but only the  WeihnachtsZauber  takes place in the stately Bebelplatz amid a trio of historic buildings: the Berlin State Opera, St. Hedwig’s Cathedral, and the landmark-listed Alte Bibliothek. Expect a parade of performers—acrobats, dancers on stilts, Christmas carolers, and more—plus pop-up restaurants serving Swiss fondue and Wiener schnitzel inside heated tents.

Where: Bebelplatz , Unter den Linden, Berlin, Germany

Where to stay: Hotel de Rome, A Rocco Forte Hotel (0.0 miles away—this is also across the street)

Mosel Wein Nachts Markt

Why we love it:   This market’s name, a clever pun on the word  Weihnachtsmarkt , means “wine nights market.” That says it all—but it's in a cool location, to boot. The Mosel region is known for its vineyards, and its festive market takes place entirely underground in four cavernous former wine cellars, carved into the hillside. Although mulled wine is available, the emphasis is on the region’s famous output, like Riesling and Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir). In addition to good wine, there’s generally good food (steaks off the grill, pizza-like flammkuchen), as well as local antiques and jewelry. For more seasonal fun, lace up your skates and go for a glide on the rink in front of town hall.

Where: An d. Mosel 25, Traben-Trarbach, Germany

When: November 24 to January 1

Nearest airport: Frankfurt Am Main Airport (FRA)

Where to stay: Moselschlösschen Spa & Resort (0.2 miles away)

Freiburg Christmas Market

Why we love it:  Straw shoes. Amber jewelry. Beeswax candles shaped like pine cones. At the Freiburg Christmas Market, in front of the city's Rathaus in the altstadt (old city), the crafts and culinary delights reflect the town’s location near the mythical Black Forest. And if you time your visit right, you might see demonstrations by local glass blowers, pastry chefs, and candle makers. Whatever you do, make sure to eat some striebele (what Americans call funnel cake), a local speciality, under the 380-foot spire of the town's iconic Gothic Freiburg Minster for a classic Christmas scene.

Where: Rathauspltaz, Freiburg , Germany

When: November 23 to December 23

Where to stay: Hotel Rappen am Münsterplatz (0.2 miles away)

Leipzig Christmas Market

Why we love it: Second only to Dresden, Leipzig otherwise lays claim to the oldest Christmas market in Germany , tracing its origins back to 1458. Here, in front of the Old Town Hall where Johann Sebastian Bach signed his employment contract (he lived here for nearly 30 years), you'll find everything from a “Magical Forest” light installation to a replica Finnish village hawking regional specialties like smoked salmon, reindeer meat, and the cupcake-like Leipziger lerche. Don’t miss daily trombonist performances from the balcony of the Old Town Hall.

Where: The Altes Rathaus and Marktplatz, Leipzig , Germany

When: November 28 to December 23

Nearest airport: Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ)

Where to stay: Steigenberger Icon Grandhotel Handelshof (0.18 miles away)

Munich Christmas Market

Why we love it: Around 2,500 lights adorn the massive Christmas tree that towers over Munich’s Marienplatz, fronting the Neo-Gothic town hall. But there’s more to do than snap pictures for your friends back home. At  this cheery market , festive activities like a Krampus Run (where around 300 runners dressed in the scary costumes tear through the city) and a  Christkindl tram with mulled wine offered on board are popular with both locals and visitors. Though it’s only been held in Marienplatz since 1972, the market’s roots are said to date back to the 14th century.

Where: Marienplatz and Rindermarkt, Munich , Germany

When: November 27 to December 24

Nearest airport: Munich International Airport (MUC)

Where to stay: DO & CO Hotel München (0.08 miles away)

Rothenburg ob der Tauber Reiterlesmarkt

Why we love it: Rothenburg ob der Tauber a walled city in northern Bavaria known for its medieval architecture, cobbled streets, and fairy-tale charm. Come December, the town transforms into a winter wonderland with snow-dusted rooftops, glowing storefronts, cozy taverns, and, of course, the annual  Reiterlesmarkt . Expect choral singing, the warming smell of cinnamon and allspice wafting through the the air, and 50 stalls selling local specialties like schneeball, a shortcrust pastry rolled into balls and coated with toppings like powdered sugar, chocolate, and nuts.

Where: Between the Rathaus and St.-Jakobs-Kirche (the Church of St. James), Rothenburg ob der Tauber , Germany

When: December 1 to December 23

Where to stay: Historik Hotel Gotisches Haus (0.07 miles away)

Konstanz Christmas Market

Why we love it:   This sprawling market  stretches from the town center to the shores of Lake Constance (also known as Bodensee), Germany's largest lake, with 150 stalls, more than 100,000 lights, and a kid-friendly elf village. Tuck in to traditional schupfnudeln potato noodles, and spend some time on the “Christmas Ship,” a large boat moored in the harbor with a panoramic bar and views of Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein in the distance. Just be sure to bring extra layers—it can get pretty chilly down by the water.

Where: Konstanz , Germany

When: November 30 to December 23

Nearest airport: Zurich Airport (ZRH) (Konstanz is just across the Swiss-German border)

Where to stay: Hotel Halm Konstanz (0.2 miles away from the waterfront)

Würzburg Christmas Market

Why we love it:  The Würzburg Christmas Market traces its origins back to the early 1800s, setting up shop at the old town's Marktplatz—that's marketplace in German—in front of the Marienkapelle (literally Marian chapel , or the Church of St. Mary) and the Falkenhaus (literally falcon house , but used to be a dormitory and inn for priests), which features a gabled, stucco Rococo-style façade. All of that to say, it's a gorgeous backdrop to the festive scenes on the streets of Würzburg as you browse through nearly 100 wooden stalls selling everything from decorative glasswork to artisan-made knitwear. Don't forget to try some Glühwein.

Where: Marktplatz, Würzburg , Germany

When:  December 1 to December 23

Where to stay: Hotel Würzburger Hof (0.28 miles away)

International Christmas Market Essen

Why we love it:  Overdosed on German culture already? The International Christmas Market in Essen is a cool break from routine as it brings in goodies and treats from over 20 countries, peddled across 170 stalls in the western German city. Keep your eyes peeled for churros, crêpes, fried fish in batter, and Belgian chocolates, among other goodies, beneath the glittering Christmas disco ball suspended above the market's main square. The organizers do their best with eco-friendly considerations like omitting plastic bags and other single-use plastics, as well as with fair trade practices by selectively handpicking their traders and organic products.

Where: Essen-Stadtkern (city center), Essen , Germany

When:  November 17 to December 23

Where to stay: Residence Inn by Marriott Essen City (0.4 miles away)

Velen Forest Christmas Market

Why we love it:  Since 1999, the Krumme family has organized this Christmas market for the advent season on their estate's private grounds in the Velen region of northwest Germany, drawing locals and tourists alike—even folks from just beyond the German-Dutch border. Around 150 exhibitors are featured this year, selling gifts, collectable souvenirs, and plenty of food and beverages (cake, coffee, and hot cocoa await). The whole scene is illuminated by over 1 million twinkling lights that garnish a labyrinth of wooden huts, with a backdrop of tree-like viridian spears in the Deustchland countryside.

Where: Landgut Krumme, Eschstraße 118, Velen , Germany

When:  November 23 to December 17

Nearest airport: Münster Osnabrück International Airport (FMO)

Where to stay: Coesfelder Tor (3.2 miles away—be sure to take a car)

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12 Best German Christmas Markets — Including the Oldest in the World

These German Christmas markets are straight out of a storybook.

Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

Fröhliche Weihnachten! Nothing beats being home with your family for the holidays, but hopping around European Christmas markets (or even European- style Christmas markets in the U.S. ) is pretty close. When it comes to traditional holiday markets, Germany leads the way in decorations, baked goods, and grand festivities that range from live concerts and ice skating rinks to the crowning of the Christmas angel. Of course, the shopping is half the fun, so plan to fill your suitcase with handcrafted ornaments and other special gifts to delight your loved ones on the big day.

It's not just a big city affair — you can find a Christmas market in many small towns around the country — but these markets are some of the most legendary. Here are a dozen destinations worth traveling for in the weeks before Christmas, brimming with holiday cheer and overflowing with sweet glühwein .

Dresdner Striezelmarkt

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The Dresdner Striezelmarkt is considered the first genuine Christmas market in the world, dating all the way back to its first iteration in 1434, when it was held for just one day. Today, it's a massive multiday event where over 200 stalls can be found selling sweet treats, Christmas tchotchkes, and more. Ride the Ferris wheel to get the best view of the market lights. The 589th Dresdner Striezelmarkt will take place at Altmarkt from November 29 to December 24, 2023. For those seeking something a bit more intimate, Dresden hosts a variety of Christmas markets of all sizes, so after checking out the Striezelmarkt, you can mosey over to the Neumarkt or the Neustadt, where there's more Christmas fun to be had.

Leipzig Christmas Market

Krzysztof Baranowski/Getty Images

Open from November 22 to December 23, 2023, the Leipzig Christmas market is one of Germany’s oldest and largest. With more than 250 stalls tucked in the historic Marktplatz, punctuated by a massive, marvelous Saxon spruce Christmas tree, the Leipzig Christmas market has been delighting merrymakers since its humble 1458 roots. Other highlights are, of course, the culinary treats, traditional medieval market, and variety of performances on the market square stage.

Trier Christmas Market

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Open every day from November 24 to December 22, 2023 (except November 26), the Trier Christmas market has been a beloved German holiday tradition for more than 40 years. It's located in the town of Trier, only eight miles from the Luxembourg border. The romantic medieval setting, surrounded by the Trier Cathedral and Main Market, sports nearly 100 booths and a family-friendly program that changes daily. Event highlights include historical puppet theater performances, regular Christmas concerts, and a poetry slam.

Berlin Christmas Markets

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If you want to visit a new Christmas market on every day of your trip, Germany's capital is a great bet — there are more than 100 Berlin Christmas markets to choose from. Head to the Kurfürstendamm on the west end of town and get your shopping done at the Breitscheidplatz Christmas market . Or, ride the Ferris wheel, skate the ice rink, and peruse the Old Berlin-style market alleys at the Berlin City Hall Christmas market to tap into the city's holiday fun. Most of the markets open in November and some even stay open past Christmas, through the end of the year.

Cologne Christmas Markets

Cologne is another city dotted with Yuletide markets during November and December. Don’t miss Nikolausdorf, or Nicholas Village, on Rudolfplatz near the trendy Belgian Quarter, where you’ll encounter cozy village lanes, charming half-timbered houses, and hot drinks served in cups shaped like Santa’s boots. The dazzlingly illuminated Christmas market at Cologne Cathedral, with its huge decorated Christmas tree, is another must-see from November 23 to December 23, 2023.

Heidelberger Weihnachtsmarkt

George Pachantouris/Getty Images

Offering a traditional German Christmas market experience, the Heidelberger Weihnachtsmarkt is one of the country’s most romantic and transportive, thanks in part to the 17th-century riverside town setting and nighttime backdrop of the glowing Heidelberg Castle. Spread across five different squares, the Heidelberger Weihnachtsmarkt embodies the warm, fuzzy feeling of Christmas. Don’t miss the ice rink at Karlsplatz and the illuminated fir trees at Kornmarkt. This year’s market dates are November 27 to December 22, 2023.

Düsseldorf Christmas Market

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The Düsseldorf Christmas market is not one but seven markets, each themed around the varied wares on offer, from edible delights to dazzling decor schemes, plus an ice skating area. Taking place from November 23 to December 30, 2023, the event will offer more than 200 elaborately decorated Christmas huts to wander at various locations throughout the city center. Take a spin on the giant Ferris wheel between bouts of shopping and sipping hot mulled wine. In the past, themed areas have included dedicated artisan markets where you can buy gifts direct from glassblowers and painters.

Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt

One of the oldest and most famous Christmas markets in the world, the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt , or “the little city of wood and cloth,” is held each year on Nuremberg’s Main Market Square. Officially opened by the Christkind, a young local woman in angelic garb and a golden crown, the market is famous for its Rauschgold angels, wooden nutcrackers, nativity scenes, and colorful stars, as well as culinary highlights such as gingerbread-like lebkuchen , mulled wine, and bratwurst. Those with little ones won’t want to miss the Christmas-themed city for children on Hans-Sachs-Platz, which has special entertainment for kids and booths with hands-on activities. This year, the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt will take place from December 1 to December 24, 2023.

Stuttgart Christmas Market

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Over 300 years old, the Stuttgart Christmas market is another German holiday favorite with some of the best decorations. A prize is awarded each year for the most beautiful stall (chosen by a jury), so all 300 booths here are ornately adorned. Enjoy the festive sights and sounds of Stuttgart at Christmas as you stroll and the soul-warming scent of cinnamon, vanilla, glühwein , and roasting bratwurst in the air. The Stuttgart Christmas market will be open from November 29 to December 23, 2023.

Braunschweig Christmas Market 

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Dating back to 1505, the Braunschweig Christmas market has been beloved for more than five centuries. From November 29 to December 29, 2023, the old quarter around Braunschweig’s St. Blasii Cathedral will transform into a magical Christmas wonderland, with 150 vendors offering a range of goodies, from typical wooden toys to leather goods, jewelry, illuminated Christmas stars, and, of course, delicious food.

At the Braunschweig Christmas market, the glühwein is tailored to the setting, served with a shot of local Braunschweiger Mumme, a thick malt extract. If you love it, you can also try Mumme beer and baked rolls at the Mumme stand. Plus, you won't want to miss the Christmas concerts at St. Blasii Cathedral, the life-size nativity scene, and the ice rink at Kohlmarkt.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber Reiterlesmarkt

Peter Bischoff/Getty Images

It doesn’t get much more picture-perfect than the medieval walled town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, but go around Christmastime and you’ll be swept into a half-timbered holiday fairy tale. Taking place from December 1 to December 23, 2023, the Rothenburg ob der Tauber Reiterlesmarkt is an Advent experience. Don’t leave without sampling schneeballen (snowballs), a local treat made from shortcrust pastry dough that’s rolled into a ball, fried, and coated with confectioners' sugar and other toppings of choice.

Rüdesheim Christmas Market of Nations

For something a bit different from the classic German Christmas market, head to Rüdesheim for the annual Christmas Market of Nations , now in its 29th year. Here in the wintry Rhine Valley, more than 17 countries (representing six of the seven continents) gather to offer their unique goods and specialties. The market takes place from November 20 to December 23, 2023, but the traditional St. Thomas Night parade on December 20 is a highlight.

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A Festive Guide To The 15 Best German Christmas Markets

By: Author Angela Price

Posted on Last updated: February 14, 2024

Christmas in Germany is a fabulous time of year to visit, and nothing gets you into the Yuletide spirit more than visiting one of the festive German Christmas markets.

Taking centre stage will be a colossal spruce Christmas tree bedecked in festive paraphernalia and twinkling fairy lights that will give us that warm and fuzzy feeling inside.

And not forgetting the fairground attractions, such as the Ferris wheel that will light up the night skies and bring out the inner child in us all.

With lines of beautifully decorated wooden huts selling traditional handmade gifts, such as delicately crafted Bavarian glassware, wooden nutcracker soldiers and delicious German foods, it’s no wonder the German markets attract so many visitors yearly.

There are many Christmas market destinations, so to help you decide which one to visit during Christmas 2023, I have listed fifteen of the best German Christmas markets, as chosen by myself and my fellow seasoned travel bloggers.

This article may contain affiliate links – For more information, please read my  disclaimer and privacy policy.

Need to arrange travel insurance, car hire or accommodation? Please check out my  resources page  to help you plan your trip.

Table of Contents

Frequently Asked Questions About German Xmas Markets

When will the christmas markets in germany open in 2023.

Most of them open towards the end of November and close at the end of Dec/beginning of January.

Xmas markets in Germany stay open until quite late in the evening so you can enjoy the Christmas lights.

Are German Christmas Markets worth it?

Yes! Visiting a Christmas market in Germany over the festive season is the best way to get into the holiday spirit.

See how Christmas is celebrated in Germany by trying new foods and beverages, buying gifts for loved ones and exploring historic city sights. What’s not to love?

Are German Christmas Markets Free to Enter?

Most Christmas markets are free to enter; however, sometimes, there is a nominal charge.

It is best to check your chosen Christmas market for up-to-date information before you travel.

You will find website details in this post of the German xmas markets that are mentioned.

What should I wear to a German Christmas Market?

Dress warmly; the temperatures in Germany will be cold in November and December.

Make sure you have comfortable walking shoes, as your feet will get a pounding while walking around the markets.

Is Christmas in Germany busy?

Yes, be prepared for crowds. Visit in the morning to shop for souvenirs in a more relaxed atmosphere.

What is Gluhwein?

Spiced red wine with raisins and spices is the traditional drink at Christmastime in Germany. 

Most markets sell a souvenir Gluhwein mug with your first drink. You can then receive free refills and also take a Xmas market momento home from your trip.

Map of German Christmas Markets

Best German Xmas Markets in 2023

Cologne Christmas Market Dates: 20th November to 7th January 2023

The Cologne Christmas Markets are some of the best in the world, so a trip here during the festive season will put you in the Christmas spirit.

With seven traditional markets spread around the city, you will have a wide selection to wander around.

Cologne Cathedral is the focal point for the central market, and no visit to Cologne would be complete without a visit inside to light a candle and reflect upon the year.

If you are lucky, you might arrive to hear Christmas carols, a magical and festive way to experience Christmas in Cologne.

The Alter Markt , Neumarkt and Rudolfplatz are three of the most popular markets in the central cathedral area.

On Heumarkt, you will find an ice skating rink where you can glide around the ice (or fall to the ice if you are anything like me!)

Another smaller market is located within Stadtgarten , the oldest park in Cologne. It is a meeting place for locals to enjoy festive food and drink together at this time of year.

With so many different markets and stalls, you will be spoilt in deciding which traditional Christmas gift to take home.

You will want them all, from German wooden nutcracker figures to glass Christmas tree baubles and home decorations!

The Christmas markets sell the most outstanding German foods, so save room to try German apple strudel or bratwurst sausages, all washed down with spiced red wine named “glühwein”.

Best Things to See in Cologne

There are many things to do and see in Cologne , and visiting the Lindt Chocolate Museum should be on your list.

Learn how chocolate is produced, and then indulge in a Christmas hot chocolate drink complete with marshmallows, cream and lashings of chocolate. I

If you still have room, try a delicious Lindt Christmas crepe drizzled with chocolate and cream!

When the Christmas markets have tired you out, head to one of the many traditional German restaurants and bars in the city decorated in true Bavarian style.

Try a local Kolsch beer and a schnitzel in keeping with German tradition.

Or why not join a festive Evening Winter Cruise along the Rhine ?

Cologne Christmas Market Official Website

Accommodation in Cologne

Munich Christmas Market Dates: 27th November to 24th December 2023

Located in the Bavarian region of Germany, Munich is famous for its ancient buildings, Oktoberfest and German Christmas markets, which date back over 700 years.

The markets are free to enter, and wandering through them is quite magical. It is one of the most charming things to do in Munich in winter.

Many festive Christmas markets are dotted around the town, the most famous being the main Christkindlmarkt in the Marienplatz pedestrian square.

The impressive Christmas tree twinkling with lights has a backdrop of the beautiful Rathaus (old town hall).

Each evening at 17:30 hours, a choir sings advent songs from the Rathaus balcony.

The music mingling with the aroma of mulled wine, winter spices and chestnuts roasting is guaranteed to get you feeling festive.

Small stalls and wooden chalets decorated with festive foliage spill over with tasty treats, Christmas decorations, crafts and gifts.

Ensure you buy some Lebkuchen biscuits , a deliciously spicy traditional German cookie and a mug of steaming Glühwein to warm you.

Bavarian artisans sell blown-glass ornaments, wooden carvings, nativity scenes and handmade gifts.

In Neuhauser Strasse , the Crib market (Kripperlmarket) sells only traditional nativity scenes, cribs and wood figures.

In addition to the Christmas markets, Munich is a beautiful city to explore , with many historical buildings, museums and usually an ice rink to enjoy.

Join a local Munich Christmas Market Tour to enjoy all the best sights with a local guide.

Or eat at a traditional German beer house like the Hofbräuhaus for traditional German food, music, and atmosphere.

Munich Christmas Market Website

Accommodation in Munich

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Market Dates: 1st December to 23rd December 2023

One of the most popular German Christmas markets is held yearly in the fairytale town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber .

Wooden chalets with twinkling lights stand alongside one another in Market Square in front of the City Hall, and brass bands play festive tunes.

A huge Christmas tree takes centre stage, and locals and visitors gather to buy gifts and sample the festive fare, including roasted chestnuts, gingerbread and mulled wine.

The Rothenburg Christmas Market is officially opened at the end of November each year by the Rothenburger R eiterle (horseman), a tradition that dates back centuries.

Once thought to be a feared spirit from the other side, his arrival is now eagerly awaited. A unique souvenir to take home as a reminder of your visit is a Reiterlesmarkt mug.

If the market doesn’t satisfy your appetite for all things Christmassy, head to the Kathe Wohlfahrt Christmas Village and the German Christmas Museum, just around the corner from Market Square.

Here, you can indulge in all manner of Christmas decorations and novelties and learn about the history of Christmas worldwide.  Both the Christmas store and museum are open year-round.

The perfect place to stay in Rothenburg ob der Tauber is Hotel Herrnschloesschen , a stroll from Market Square.

Housed in one of the town’s oldest buildings, this boutique 4-star hotel offers luxuriously appointed rooms in the centre of town.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Market Official Website

Accommodation in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Individual markets open from 17th November and close in December and January. Check the Hamburg Christmas Market website for individual opening times.

Hamburg, located in northern Germany, is the perfect place to spend some festive time during the Christmas season.

With traditional and somewhat quirky alternative German Christmas markets assembled around the city, you can explore them all for an entertaining weekend.  

The primary Christmas market is in front of the Town Hall, featuring a large illuminated Christmas tree and pretty wooden huts.

From here, you can get some delicious German festive grabs, including German sausages garnished with fried onions, burgers, candy floss, and fried doughnuts filled with various sweet stuffing.

You must try fried potato cake sprinkled with powdered sugar, my absolute favourite German Christmas food!

You cannot visit the market without sampling the German mulled wine called gluhwein, sold in the market in cute, festive mugs, which you can keep as a souvenir after paying a small charge.

Things to buy include marzipan produced nearby in Lubeck, gingerbread, handmade Christmas decorations, wooden toys, and more.

If you fancy exploring something different, the alternative Christmas Market, Santa Pauli , is in Kiez, Hamburg’s red-light district.

The market features an alternative type of entertainment for adults, including stripping Santa and phallic-shaped lollipops.  

Other markets worth checking out include Winterwald, based on the winter forest concept; White Magic , located along the promenade by a large lake in the city; and the Flee Christmas Market , surrounded by Hamburg’s canals.  

Accommodation in Hamburg

Goslar Christmas Market Dates: November 23rd – December 30th 2023

Germany is the country of Christmas markets. Even in the country’s smallest towns, a Christmas market arrives yearly.

Many visitors head to the south of Germany, as some don’t realise that there are many great Christmas markets in Germany to admire in the north of the country.

One of the most beautiful is the small Christmas market in my hometown, Goslar, near the Harz Mountains.

Goslar is a small town in the state of Lower Saxony.

Although the city is relatively unknown to foreign visitors, dozens of visitors from all over the country come here every year to visit the city’s unique Christmas market (There is no entrance fee).

Since Goslar is a medieval city full of half-timbered houses and ancient architecture, you can also experience this medieval influence at its Christmas market.

Not only is the Christmas market located in the city’s market square, surrounded by unique medieval buildings.

There are also many medieval stalls on the market where you can enjoy delicious ancient German cuisine.

While there are German classics at some stands, you can also discover new combinations at others. My personal favourite is hot chocolate with chilli and tequila.

Gosler Christmas Market Information

Accommodation in Goslar

Munster Christmas Market Dates: 27th November to 23rd December 2023

Münster is a North Rhine city in Westphalia with five (Weihnachtsmarkt) German Christmas markets dotted around the city.

Each market has a distinct theme, with stalls selling various Christmas crafts, gifts and delicious local German cuisine.

On our arrival in Muster, everything was well-organised, and it was obvious where we needed to go and park. Parking was in an underground car park and cost around 5 euros.  

We had arrived as it was getting dark, so the most beautiful Christmas lights were starting to take effect.

The atmosphere was magical and festive, and the town square was beautifully decorated and bustling with jolly Christmas activity.

Naturally, I made a beeline for the Glühwein stall. The sights and smells were captivating as we waited for our drinks.

We could keep our adorable Glühwein Christmas mugs for an extra few euros and get continuous refills of the spiced Christmas beverage.  

After a touch of shopping, our noses led us to a food stall selling mouth-wateringly   delicious schnitzel and creamy garlic mushrooms.

Then came the most crucial decision of the evening – what sweeties should we have for pudding – with so much on offer, it was hard to choose!

There were fun rides for smaller children and plenty of festive photo opportunities for everyone.

With full tummies, glowing cheeks and our Christmas shopping complete, we joined in with Christmas carol singing before heading back to our hotel.

Munster Christmas Market Official Website

Accommodation in Munster

Berlin Christmas Market Dates: 10th November to 23rd December 2023

The number one spot in Germany for Christmas Markets is Berlin, ranging from small ones to large city-sponsored affairs. One of my favourite markets is Winter World , held in Potsdamer Platz.

Winter World is a great market if you have children since there is much more to do than just shopping!

Apart from the traditional shopping and markets, the highlights are the toboggan run and the ice skating rink. There is also a carousel that is a delight for children.  

Visiting the Berlin Christmas markets is free, though there are individual ticket prices for skating, tobogganing, and the carousel.  

It is a great place to pick up a few Berlin souvenirs ; there are beautiful textiles and handmade Christmas ornaments for sale, among other decorative crafts.  

If you want to eat near Potsdamer Platz but have had your fill of Christmas Market food, check out Paulaner Wirsthaus on the square.  

If you are looking for a Berlin LGBTQIA Christmas market, Winterdays focuses on the gay community.

For a hotel nearby, check in to the Grand Hyatt Berlin , just two blocks away and an easy walk to and from the market.  

Berlin Christmas Market Official Website

Accommodation in Berlin

Nuremberg Christmas Market Dates: 1st December to 24th December 2023

One of Germany’s most attractive and quaint cities, Nuremberg, is known for its architecture and traditional German cuisine.

However, one of the best things to do in Nuremberg  is to attend its famous Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, one of the oldest Christmas markets in the country.

The best foods to try at Nuremberg Christmas Market are elisenlebkuchen and bratwurst , made locally in Nuremberg since the 1300s.

If you want to immerse yourself fully in Nuremberg’s food scene, you can book a culinary Christmas food tour with a local guide.

Most people have probably heard of bratwurst (sausage) as it’s available worldwide, but you’ll need to visit Germany to try lebkuchen, a type of gingerbread famous throughout Germany.

Heart-shaped gingerbread called lebkuchenherze can be iced with cute messages that can be personalised for your loved ones.

These are more for decoration than to eat, as they are not as good as the traditional lebkuchen.

The best thing to drink at Nuremberg Christmas Market is glühwein ; in other words, mulled wine flavoured with spices, cinnamon, and even raisins.

If you’re looking for souvenirs, take home a glühwein mug engraved with images of the Nuremberg Christmas Market. You can also buy Christmas decorations and other trinkets from southern Bavaria.

Other things to do in Nuremberg include shopping at the Handwerkerhof Market , seeing the world’s oldest globe at the Germanisches National Museum and admiring panoramic views from Nuremberg Castle .

Nuremberg Christmas Market Official Website

Accommodation in Nuremberg

Konstanz Christmas Market Dates: 30th November to 22nd December 2023

The “Weihnachsmarkt am See”, which means “Christmas market on the lake”, takes place every year in the lakeside city of Konstanz.

The Bodensee, or Lake Constance as it’s known in English, is a large lake that serves as a border between Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.

As the largest city on the lake, Konstanz is a popular vacation spot in the summer, especially with outdoor lovers who come to hike, swim and cycle around Lake Constance .

It’s not typically considered a winter destination, except in December, when people come from miles around to visit the famous German Christmas market.

Entrance to the market is free, with market stalls set up all along the main street leading down to the harbourside.

A “Christmas Ship” in the harbour has more stalls and an ice bar with a 360° lake view!  

Most of the food stalls sell traditional German dishes, such as sausages and käsespätzle; of course, glühwein is the most popular adult drink.

A few stalls sell more international cuisines, such as Indian and Moroccan, and these typically offer better options for vegetarians and vegans.

Alternatively, stop in for a meal at Das Voglhaus or Sol Caffebar and Vegifood, Konstanz’s two entirely vegetarian restaurants.

Konstanz Christmas Market Official Website

Accommodation in Konstanz

Dusseldorf Christmas Market Dates: 23rd November to 30th December 2023

Some of the best Christmas markets in Germany, if not  the whole Schengen area , can be found in Dusseldorf, bringing a festive atmosphere to the city just when the winter chill sets in over the Rhine.

Dusseldorf is a relatively big city with seven main German Christmas markets, all located in the city centre, within easy walking distance of the Altstadt Old Town area.

Beautifully illuminated squares and streets in the city put you into the festive spirit and prepare you to visit one of these lively Christmas markets.

Here, you will find all kinds of Christmas delights at over 200 Swiss-style wooden chalets featuring local arts and crafts, handcrafted jewellery, ornaments and other gifts.

Look out for a multitude of tasty treats, often the highlight of a visit, which includes kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes), bratwurst (sausage), and gebrannte mandeln (candied almonds).

These all go down well with hot spiced wine or hot chocolate.

A stroll along the promenade or the world-famous Königsallee is a must at Christmas time, featuring giant chestnut trees decorated with thousands of lights and garlands.

Other activities worth seeing are the light show at Schadow-Arkaden , live music at Jan-Wellem-Square , and the free organ concerts around the city.

Don’t miss the dancing stuffed animals and the children’s tent at Kö-Bogen,  which are always a hit with kids.

If you want a local guide to show you the highlights of Dusseldorf at Christmas, you can book a private tour of the markets and learn more about their cultural significance.

Dusseldorf  Christmas Market Official Website

Accommodation in Dusseldorf

Mainz Christmas Market Dates: 30th November to 23rd December 2023

Are you looking for a cosy, traditional Christmas market in a unique atmosphere? Then you are in the right place in Mainz.

The capital of the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate in western Germany has around 220,000 inhabitants.

It is best known for its old town with half-timbered houses, the Mainz Cathedral and where Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of printing, worked.

The Mainz Christmas market takes place from the last week of November until just before Christmas, is also known nationwide – and has been for over 200 years!

The market is free to enter and is incredibly popular with locals as a meeting point to stop by for a mulled wine or a sausage after work or a lecture.

There is a unique atmosphere, especially around the Domplatz, surrounded by the church and old houses.

Everything is reinforced by the fairy lights that converge across the entire square on the Heunen pillar, giving visitors the feeling of standing under a starry sky.

The Christmas market closes at 8:30 p.m. during the week and is a little longer on weekends until 9 p.m.

If you don’t want to go home after that, you will find many places to stop at Gutenbergplatz – but they can quickly fill up with visitors to the Christmas market.  

Mainz wine bars typical of the region, such as Hottum or Weinhaus Michel, are a great place to head to after the Christmas markets, where you can end the evening with local wine and traditional dishes.

Mainz Christmas Market Information

Accommodation in Mainz

Stuttgart Christmas Market Dates: 29th November to 23rd December 2023

As one of Germany’s largest and busiest cities, you can’t miss Stuttgart’s Christmas market when in Germany.

Stuttgart Christmas market is visited by a colossal 3.5 million people each year and has hundreds of vendors. Each stall is beautifully decorated, showcasing the stall owner’s nostalgia.

The stalls are located in a few of the main squares and are all within walking distance of each other.

An annual ice rink is typically open past New Year’s, and a miniature steam engine train takes children around a beautifully decorated tiny village.

The area also has a lot of small rides for children, and the annual-themed decorations are spread out across the grass.

A unique piece of the market is the colossal advent calendar on the windows of a building in the Marktplatz.

It is best to spend at least a day at the market to experience Stuttgart’s beauty fully at Christmastime.

Stuttgart Christmas Market Official Website

Accommodation in Stuttgart

Bochum Christmas Market Dates: 23rd – 25th December 2023

Located in the industrial region of Ruhr, Bochum isn’t necessarily known for much.

While they’re focusing on slowly becoming a more “hip” area, their Christmas market makes them more of a hidden gem.

The Bochum Christmas market is in the city centre, so anybody can enter without an entrance fee. It only opens for three days in December, so it is a place to visit if you are already nearby in Germany.

It is pretty spacious, and there are even a few themes in each market section; for example, a market will take you back in time to the Middle Ages. The stalls appear old and worn, with vendors dressed in costumes, and there are even fun games such as axe-throwing.

The Bochum Christmas market is unique because it focuses on sustainability and produces little waste.

You won’t see any plastic or single-use cups here at the market. You “rent” out a cup and can later return it to a stall to get your money back.  

Additionally, what stands out is the flying Santa Claus .

While the Christmas market is open, Santa flies from over 33 meters to the ground across the square. It’s something that both children and adults alike can enjoy.

Accommodation in Bochum

Bernkastel Kues

Christmas Market Dates for Bernkastel Kues: 24th November to 23rd December 2023

Bernkastel Kues is incredible and one of the most romantic towns in the Rhineland , especially during Christmastime, with traditional timber-framed style houses, cobbled streets, square-shaped shops, and a historical feel about the area.

The town is away from the hustle-bustle of large cities, so people visit to explore attractive spots, like the Bernkastel Kues Christmas market.

Often referred to as “The Pearl of the Moselle” , you’ll get to buy the best Christmas gifts available.

Moreover, you can taste the delicious gingerbread, smoked salmon, deep-fried cheese, pretzels, and pofferties (a traditional battered treat like small pancakes) on sale at the market.

Besides the market, there are other festive things to do in Bernkastel Kues.

They include appreciating live Christmas music/orchestras at the market square, in Bärenbrunnen-well and Karlsbader-Platz .

Alongside this, tour the best old German towns nearby, witness the beauty of decorated markets and homes, and relish the fragrant gluhwein drink.

A great way to explore the town and visit other scenic Christmas Markets is by doing a Christmas Market cruise on the Mosel or Rhine River.

  Bernkastel Kues Christmas Market Official Website

Accommodation in Bernkastel Kues

Trier Christmas Market Dates: 24th November to 22nd December 2023

Voted the Best German Christmas Market 2022 by the European Tourism Board, Trier typically features several Christmas markets throughout the city, each with a unique atmosphere and offerings.

The main Christmas market is usually held in the heart of the city, in the Hauptmarkt (main market square), in front of the imposing Trier Cathedral.

Smaller markets are located in other parts of the city, such as the Domfreihof , the Kornmarkt, and the Simeonstiftplatz .

The Trier Christmas market is known for its cosy and festive atmosphere. You will find beautifully decorated stalls, twinkling lights, and a large Christmas tree in Hauptmarkt, which creates a magical ambience.

Live music and entertainment are often part of the festivities, adding to the holiday spirit.

You can shop for beautiful festive gifts and souvenirs at the Trier market. Some of the items you can typically find include:

• Handcrafted Christmas ornaments: Trier’s market is known for its unique and artisanal Christmas decorations.
• Local crafts: You can purchase handmade crafts, including wooden toys, ceramics, and textiles.
• Regional food and beverages: Enjoy traditional German holiday treats like gingerbread cookies (Lebkuchen), roasted chestnuts, mulled wine (Glühwein), hot mulled apple wine (Viez) and sausages.
• Gifts and trinkets: Look for gifts like candles, jewellery, scarves, and other Christmas-themed items.
• Local products: Trier is located in the Moselle wine region, so you will find locally produced wines and other culinary specialities.

Trier Christmas Market Official Website

Accommodation in Trier

If you want the perfect way to celebrate the season of goodwill, a trip to a German Christmas Market will tick all the boxes.

From large traditional German city markets to charming ones in smaller towns and villages, there will surely be one for you.

Happy Christmas travel planning!

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john caroline

Wednesday 28th of December 2022

All of these Christmas markets look so beautiful...

Friday 16th of October 2020

This is an awesome round up of Christmas markets. I never knew there were so many. We live in the states and have only a couple near us that I know of. I would love to visit Germany during November or December.

Thursday 15th of October 2020

I used to live in Prague (so a similar area) and the Christmas markets were the one thing that made this time of year good! Otherwise it was just grey XD these all look beautiful too!

WhereAngieWanders

I loved Prague but haven't been at Christmas. Maybe I should return to experience the city at a different time of year.

I have always wanted to visit Germany during the holidays, so glad I found this, I'm hoping I can spend Christmas 2021 there! This will come in handy!!

Wednesday 14th of October 2020

All of these Christmas markets look so dreamy!! I would love to visit all of them, but Rothenburg ob der Tauber looks especially charming.

Germany Footsteps

11 Best Christmas Markets In Germany To Have On Your Bucket List

Going to be in Germany in the lead up to Christmas?

Then there is one thing you must do and that’s visit a Christmas market (or 11)!

German Christmas markets have a great repuation all over the world and for good reason. There really isn’t anything more magical than walking around a great Christmas market, listening to carols, trying local foods and carrying a nice hot mug of Glühwein while looking at the stalls.

In fact, I think it may be my favorite activity in Germany and one I can’t wait to do again soon. Especially being from Australia, there is something just so festive about the winter weather and the lights, sounds, smells and sights of a German Christmas market.

But don’t take my word for it, make sure you visit at least one.

There are many, many Christmas markets in Germany, however, so your choices can feel overwhelming. To make it easier for you, I asked my blogging friends to help me come up with this list of all the top choices. From huge city Christmas markets to smaller affairs in villages, we have it all covered for you here.

So let’s start – here are the top Germany Christmas markets!

Looking for other reasons to visit Germany at Christmas time? Find our guide to all the reasons why Germany is so special to visit in December here.

Love Germany?  Click here to download your free guide to ALL of Germany’s Amazing UNESCO sites . See all 52 of them!

Table of Contents

Best Christmas Markets In Germany

Ravenna gorge christmas market.

The Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market (Weihnachtsmarkt in der Ravennaschlucht) is located in the Black Forest region of Germany, not far from the city of Freiburg im Breisgau. It’s completely unique because of its location directly underneath the 40-metre-high viaduct of the Devil’s Valley Railway.

It’s a truly magical sight with the usual delicious regional food and craft stalls, thousands of twinkling lights and when a train passes overhead, it’s like something from a Harry Potter novel!

The market has around 40 stalls so isn’t huge, but it has a great selection of local delicacies including sausages, game meat, organic fruit and chocolate, regional schnapps, and of course gluhwein.

It’s worth noting the market is only open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons and evenings during Advent until the Sunday before Christmas. There is a small admission fee to enter the market and you can pre-purchase tickets online.

The market is located in the steep Ravenna Gorge so parking is extremely limited and must be pre-purchased. The best option is to visit is via one of the free regular shuttle buses from Hinterzarten and Himmelreich train stations, Titisee Kurhaus car park, or the Freiburg concert hall. Tickets are timed and can be purchased online when booking your market entry ticket.

While at the market, be sure to make time to walk up the short hill behind the market for an amazing birds-eye view of everything. If you’re patient, you may even snap the perfect shot of a train passing overhead too!

The best options for accommodation near the Ravenna Gorge market are located in Freiburg.

Contributed by Kylie from Visiting Dordogne

Stuttgart Christmas Market

The Stuttgart Christmas Market isn’t one of the most well-known Christmas Markets in Germany, but it’s one of the oldest markets in Europe. There’s been a Christmas market in Germany for over 300 years!

Held in the centre of town at the Schlossplatz, the Stuttgart Christmas Market also stretches to Schillerplatz and Marktplazt, as well as the streets in between.

Stuttgart’s market is known for a few things that set it apart from other Christmas Markets in Germany: elaborately decorated rooftops, a giant advent calendar, large illuminations set on the lawn of the Schlossplatz and even a Finnish market.

There are over 300 wooden stalls with creatively decorated roofs. In fact, there’s a competition each year for the best decorated rooftop and some of the rooftop decorations are elaborate.

On the windows of the Rathaus – City Hall – a large advent calendar is displayed starting on December 1st. Each day, a new window is opened to reveal a different coat of arms, representing the districts in Stuttgart.

There’s also an outdoor skating rink, large illuminated displays on the grass in front of the Neues Schloss and a mini steam train village for kids to enjoy, which they can ride too! And, of course, you’ll find other rides for kids, plenty of stalls serving gluwhein and other hot drinks and all kinds of unique crafts.

Stuttgart is also known for its Finnish market – the only one of its kind in Germany. Sip on hot glogg, or try flammkuchen!

Stuttgart is definitely a Christmas Market to visit, but it also makes a good base to visit other Christmas Markets nearby. The Ludwigsburg Baroque Christmas is a short train ride away and the Esslingen Medieval Christmas Market is one not to miss too!

The Christmas Market starts in late November and is open every day for the holiday season, ending on December 23.

Contributed by Erin from Wanderlust with Kids

You can also read our full guide to visiting Stuttgart here.

Berlin Christmas Market

Looking for a festive and magical Christmas market to visit this holiday season? Then head to Berlin! The German capital is home to some of the best Christmas markets in the country, where you can find everything from traditional hand-crafted gifts to delicious mulled wine.

There are many different Christmas markets in Berlin, each with its own unique charm. Some of the most popular markets include the Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market, the Winter World at Potsdamer Platz, and the Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market.

At the Charlottenburg Palace market, there are more than 250 stalls selling delicious holiday snacks, hot mulled wine, and traditional souvenirs.

Winter World at Potsdamer Platz is a full-on Christmas wonderland, featuring a toboggan ride, ice skating, and plenty of stalls.

At Gendarmenmarkt, you’ll find one of the city’s most beautiful markets, with market stalls and live entertainment located in one of the city’s prettiest squares.

Opening dates vary between markets, but Berlin Christmas Markets generally open in mid-November and close shortly after New Year’s Day. Some of the smaller markets may only be open on weekends.

The Hilton Berlin , near Gendarmenmarkt, is a perfect hotel for a Berlin Christmas getaway. The hotel is steps away from the Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market. Potsdamer Platz is also a short walk away.

Contributed by Sydney from A World in Reach

Goslar Christmas Market

The Christmas market in Goslar is definitely one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in all of Germany. It is not without reason that it ranks among the ten most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany almost every year.

Even if it is not one of the most visited Christmas markets in the country and a rather small market in general, it definitely is worth a trip to the Harz Mountains to visit this charming little Christmas market.

Matching the scenery of the small medieval town of Goslar, the Christmas market is held in a medieval style.

Fittingly, the Christmas market is always located in the town’s medieval market square, surrounded by magnificent buildings. Also, in the rest of the city, you can find numerous old half-timbered houses and idyllic alleys, which seem to have hardly changed since past times.

If you visit the medieval Christmas market, in addition to the typical German Christmas treats offered here, you should undoubtedly taste the traditional medieval pastries, such as the flatbreads baked in a stone oven – it’s worth it!

Every year, a small Christmas forest is constructed from real trees in the adjacent square. The trees are then decorated and illuminated for Christmas. A few small wooden huts are waiting for you in this forest, where you can enjoy typical German hot mulled wine and similar hot drinks. These will warm you up and contribute to the typical festive Christmas market atmosphere.

The Christmas market in Goslar takes place every year from the beginning of December until a few days after Christmas Eve.

Contributed by Vicki from Vickiviaja

Aachen Christmas Market

The Aachen Christmas Market, a small but mighty market, consistently ranks high among must-see Christmas markets each year. More than one million people venture out each holiday season to experience this iconic Christmas village that dates back to the 1970s, and it’s easy to see why.

This market’s setting—sandwiched between the stunning cathedral (go inside if you have time) and beautiful Rathaus (climb the stairs for an amazing view), is charming and just big enough that you can explore for a few hours without getting overwhelmed.

Keep an eye out—and follow your nose—for a special treat called printen; a local take on gingerbread that uses sugar beats as sweetener instead of honey. You’ll find these holiday-spiced cookies everywhere to purchase (highly recommend the ones dipped in chocolate), including a giant 6-metre inflatable “printenmen” (like a gingerbread man) greeting visitors to the market.

Wash all that printen down at Hexenhof with some glüwein in a colorful boot mug. They come in an array of colors, making it an extra fun experience.

While this market lacks a big ferris wheel like other markets, Aachen has a couple carousels for kids, and plenty of treats to keep them occupied and having fun.

Aachen is located about an hour west of Cologne and Dusseldorf, and is easily reached by car or train. If you’re arriving by car, use the Parkhaus Am Dom for easy access to the market. Go left directly out of the garage, then hang another left at the street and you’ll see the market on your right.

The Aachen Christmas Market typically lasts for about four weeks, beginning mid-November and wrapping up just before Christmas.

Contributed by Jessica from JessicaLynnWrites

You can also read our full guide to visiting Aachen here.

Leipzig Christmas Market

The Leipzig Christmas market is a popular one, though it tends to be overlooked by tourists in favor of more famous ones like Dresden or Nuremberg. It feels a bit more cozy compared to some of the more famous ones, but you should still expect a lot of people. Weekdays during the day will typically be a little less crowded than nighttime or weekends.

This Christmas market is one of the oldest in Germany, dating back to 1458. It’s held in the old town on the main square called Marktplatz with the old town hall building as a gorgeous backdrop. Here, you’ll find more than 250 stalls selling food, mulled wine, Christmas decorations, gifts, and many other items. It’s also very kid friendly, so you’ll find lots of non-alcoholic options for your children.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, once or twice a day you can watch a traditional music performance by trombone players on the balcony of the old town hall building. It’s usually at 6pm, but there are other times on certain days of the week.

The Christmas market spills out to other streets near Marktplatz and even includes a medieval themed Christmas market. While these are technically separate markets from the main one, it all feels like one Christmas market spread out to different parts of the old town.

The Leipzig Christmas market typically starts the last week of November and runs until just before Christmas. Each day the market opens late in the morning and goes until the evening, usually closing around 9pm or 10pm. If you’re looking for a place to stay, the Penta Hotel Leipzig is a great choice.

Contributed by Ali from Berlin Travel Tips

You can also read our full guide to visiting Leipzig here.

Munich Christmas Market

Munich is one of our favorite places to celebrate Christmas in Germany. In 2022, the markets will be open from November 22 to December 24. There are close to 20 Christmas markets throughout the city, but the main Christmas market is in Marienplatz, the town square. With such a large variety of markets, everyone is sure to find a favorite.

The Christmas market in Marienplatz dates to the 14th century and is often considered the most “traditional” of the Munich markets. The scene is exactly what you expect from a German Christmas market; a magnificent tree decorated with glittering white lights in front of the Gothic style Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) while people huddle together among the various vendor stalls.

The square is covered with small booths offering every type of German food, drink, and trinkets imaginable. This market is known as the “Kripperlmarkt” (manger market) as there is everything you would need to create a nativity scene. It is typically the most crowded of the Munich Christmas Markets due to its central location and popularity with tourists.

For a market away from the crowds, head to the Residenz, the former royal palace of the Bavarian dukes. This Christmas market is set in a sheltered courtyard, creating an intimate experience for everyone.

This is the perfect place for families to escape the crowds, try some holiday treats, and listen to carolers. Due to its small size, it’s quite easy to keep an eye on little ones.

Other markets in Munich worth a visit include Sendlinger Tor, the Chinese Tower, the Medieval Christmas market (Mittelaltermarkt), and the Haidhausen market.

Hotel am Viktualienmarkt offers a convenient and comfortable accommodation for those visiting the Munich Christmas Markets.

Contributed by Kirsten from MultigenerationalVacations

Dresden Christmas Market

There are several Christmas Markets in Dresden, but Striezelmarkt is, without doubt, the most important one since its existence dates back to the 15th century, making it the oldest in Germany. It takes place in Altmarkt square, in the historic centre of the city and it lasts from the last week of November until Christmas Eve.

As the largest market in Eastern Germany, Striezelmarkt has around 240 stalls that sell a wide array of mainly handmade products like wooden Christmas tree ornaments, candle pyramids, nutcrackers, skillfully painted glass globes, or toys.

The food and drinks on offer is also generous and it includes bratwursts (German sausages usually made from pork), gluhwein (mulled wine), gingerbread, and the famous Stollen, a traditional cake-like bread made with nuts, dried or candied fruits, spices and more often than not marzipan. An interesting sweet is the Pflaumentoffel, an edible chimney sweeping figurine made from plums, that is usually eaten after Christmas.

Some of the highlights of the Striezelmarkt are the almost 15 metre high Christmas candle pyramid, the Stollen Festival, the Ferris wheel, and the Schwibbogen, which is the biggest walkable wooden Christmas arch in the world. Also, it’s worth mentioning that most of the stalls are beautifully decorated with moving mechanical figures, sitting on their rooftops. Kids will definitely love them!

Since the Striezelmarkt Christmas Market in Dresden is very popular with locals and tourists alike, it is better to visit during the week or early in the morning in order to avoid big crowds.

Contributed by Andreea from Andoreia

You can also read our full guide to visiting Dresden here.

Cologne Christmas Market

The Cologne Christmas Market is one of the absolute best Christmas markets in Germany! In fact, the city hosts 7 different markets, each of them with their own distinct and very prevalent theming.

For example, the Altmarkt and Heumarkt (two markets that are right by each other) have a woodland theme, so stalls resemble log cabins, bar tables are tree stumps, and gnomes and woodland scenes adorn all the stalls, and, of course, the mugs have a variety of gnomes on them.

In contrast, the Angel Market has white booths with different pictures of angels, white lights hanging from the trees, mugs with angels, and women dressed up like angels walking around the market for photo ops with guests (pictures are free). This strong theming throughout the different markets in Cologne make this city’s Christmas markets so charming and unique!

While all of the markets deserve a visit during both daytime and nighttime hours, the Dom market in particular is absolutely stunning at night. A massive Christmas tree stands tall in the middle of the market, with a canopy net of lights extending from the tree over the tops of the surrounding stalls. Nighttime concerts are held here, adding to the ambiance. Fittingly, this market is set up in the shadow of the Cologne Cathedral, the third tallest church in the world.

The markets run from the last week of November to right before Christmas. Markets vary in size, but none are larger than the Dom Market which hosts over 150 stalls. The Hotel Sion is a nice, affordable, and centrally located place to stay in Cologne.

Contributed by Stephanie from TheUnknownEnthusiast

Click here to read more about visiting Cologne.

Hamburg Christmas Market

The Rathausmarkt Christmas Market is renowned as Hamburg’s most beautiful due to its location in the shadows of the Rathaus town hall. The over one hundred stalls range from freshly made Gluhwein to stalls selling miniature statues. It truly is a unique market and one you’ll absolutely love walking around.

The market has been held annually, during the months of November and December, for the past 12 years and attracts around two million visitors anually. In the market itself, there is a beautiful illuminated archway and multiple christmas trees that are perfect for that special photo and will epitomise the beauty of the market.

In order to experience the festivities of the Rathausmarkt Christmas Market, we’d recommend visiting in the evening to see the beautiful array of lights on display around each hut. To make your visit even more festive, you should definitely grab yourself a cup of gluhwein or hot chocolate to fuel your walk round.

To make as much use of your time in Hamburg and at Rathausmarkt Christmas Market, we’d recommend staying at Motel One Hamburg-Fleetinsel . The main reason is the location where it’s slap bang in the middle of the city, near to the main bus and train stations, and just a stone throw away from the Christmas market.

Overall, Hamburg’s Rathausmarkt is one of the prettiest Christmas markets in the whole of Europe and is definitely one not to miss!

Contributed by Alex and Leah from Alex and Leah on Tour

Frankfurt Christmas Market

One of the best and also oldest Christmas Markets in Germany that you should not miss is the Frankfurt Christmas Market.

The oldest records that mention it date back to 1393. Back then, it was called a “December market”, and people came not just for the market but also for religious plays which took place in front of the town hall.

Today, 1-2 million people visit the 200 stalls at the Frankfurt Christmas Market every year. One of the best places to start your visit is at Römerberg. This square is surrounded by half-timbered houses, setting the perfect background for the stalls and a merry-go-round. It’s a great location to get food and drinks and maybe try mulled wine or hot Apfelwein, a regional speciality.

Apfelwein is a local wine made from apples that is popular in Frankfurt. At the Christmas market, locals like to drink it hot and spiced with cinnamon, ginger, lemon and cloves.

Before moving to the next location, check out the Christmas tree in front of the town hall. You can see it from everywhere in the square, and in some years, the tree is taller than 30 metres.

Close to Römerberg, you can find the Paulsplatz. On this square, many stalls specialise in handicrafts, so it’s a great location to buy Christmas gifts.

Make sure to also stop by “Rosa Weihnacht”, Pink Christmas. You can find this LGBTQ+ themed Christmas market on Friedrich-Stolte-Platz, a square close to the main areas. It’s an excellent location for food and drinks, and it’s also worth taking a look at for the colours and decorations.

The Frankfurt Christmas Market is open every day starting at the end of November until one or two days before Christmas.

Contributed by Daniel and Ilona from Top Travel Sights

You can also read our full guide to visiting Frankfurt here.

Map Of The Best German Christmas Markets

Final Words

I hope you have found this list helpful and you’re ready to enjoy Germany at Christmas time. Nothing beats a German Christmas market and I hope you make it to one soon!

You can find our guide to all the top places to visit in Germany at Christmas time here and our guide to what to eat and drink at Germany’s Christmas markets here.

Looking for atmospheric Old Towns to visit in Germany? Find our list of the most beautiful Old Towns here . Looking for vibrant and beautiful cities? Find our list of the most beautiful cities here . Want to learn more about planning your trip to Germany? Click here to find all our guides to planning your German adventure.

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By Sharon Gourlay

Sharon first fell in love with Germany back in 2000 on her first visit. She loves the long history, the picturesque Old Towns, the castles, the food, everything really! Since then, she has visited many times and loves writing about Germany here so you can enjoy it too. In fact, Sharon loves German culture so much that she sent her kids to a German primary school in Australia. She especially loves Berlin and towns with charming Old Towns like Celle and Quedlinburg. Sharon also has a Certificate III in International Travel Sales and understands the nitty gritty of travel planning. Through this site, she'll help you have the perfect trip to Germany whether it's your first or tenth time!

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Christmas Markets

The 10 Best Christmas Markets in Germany

Germany has a reputation for knowing how to throw a proper festival —and autumn is not the only time of year in which this holds true. Christmas markets are a wonderful part of Germany's holiday tradition and a great way to get into the holiday spirit. Christmas markets as we know them originated in Germany in the middle ages, though they have now spread to other countries near and far. Whether you're in Dresden, Hamburg, Nuremberg, or Munich, the magic is there. Prepare for your mittens to get sticky with glühwein and enjoy chestnuts roasted over an open fire.

Plan your visit to the best Weihnachtsmärkte (Christmas Markets) in Germany and enjoy the country at its most charming.

Nuremberg Christmas Market

Nuremberg has an Altstadt (old town) filled with sites that attract visitors year-round, but it really lights up for Christmas.

The Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt was first mentioned in 1628, making it one of the oldest weihnachtsmärkte in the world. The market is within the main square with 180 traditionally decorated huts, more than 30 dating back to 1890. Locals fondly call the market "our little town of wood and cloth" as there is nothing plastic or tacky here.

Most of the goods sold here are locally crafted from quality material, which is becoming increasingly unusual. Eat a few—or a lot—of the tiny Nuremberg ​Rostbratwurst and stay warm with sweet schmalzkuchen .

The spectacular opening celebration includes the Christkind (Christmas Angel), played by a local girl. This heavenly being reads out a prologue from the balcony of the Nuremberg Cathedral to open the festivities. Nuremberg is genuinely one of the very best places to celebrate Christmas in Germany .

Dresden Christmas Market

 If you are looking for the oldest Christmas Market in Germany, you'll need to head east to Dresden .

Dresdner Striezelmarkt began in 1434 and is famous for having the world's biggest nutcracker, a massive Christmas pyramid, and the largest Stollen (traditional German fruitcake ) that gets its own parade. The world's biggest Striezl (the local term for Stollen ) usually weighs between 3 to 4 tons, measures at least 13 feet in length, and is pulled through the city in its own carriage. As it makes its way through the town, pieces of it are ceremoniously cut off and handed out to the crowd for a small fee which is then donated to charity. Even the knife is grand with its silver-plating and 5-foot length.

Munich Christmas Market

Münchner Christkindlmarkt takes place in the heart of the old town in Marienplatz below the clock tower.

During the market, a substantial 100-foot Christmas tree twinkles with 2,500 lights. The many stalls sell artisanal handcrafts like intricate wood carvings and fine crystals. There is also an array of live performances and music.

Steps away is the Kripperlmarkt , Germany’s largest manger market and nativity scene. Located to the west on Neuhauser Strasse, Visitors in search of the jolly should also catch a ride on the ChristkindlTram (Christmas Tram) for a jolly ride through the city center. See our complete guide to Christmas in Munich and the best things to do in Munich .

Rothenburg Christmas Market

GettyImages / Elizabeth Beard

In Rothenburg , it is Christmas all year round. The town looks like it jumped out of a fairy tale with its narrow cobblestone streets, half-timbered structures, and surrounding medieval walls. At Christmas, the snow falls, the markets open, and it is full-on winter fantasy.

Walk the ramparts of this medieval town with a sweet schneeball (snowball pastry) in hand, or make your way through the Rothenburg Reiterlesmarkt of the Altstadt.

Go into the Christmas store of Käthe Wohlfahrt with three floors of ornaments and holiday decor. The Christmas Museum inside covers tree decorations through the ages, the first advent calendars , and antique Christmas cards. Along with Santa Pauli's sexy Christmas market and Emden's floating waterfront Christmas market, Rothenburg's year-round Christmas market is one of Germany's most unusual.

Cologne Christmas Market

Cologne may have the largest Christmas market of all, with seven interlocking markets throughout its city center. The market in front of the Cologne Cathedral is lent the grandeur of the city's most well-known landmark. There is also one of the largest Christmas trees in the region (although the largest Christmas tree in Germany is in Dortmund).​ It is lit by 50,000 LED lights. Visitors can also expect to see kids riding a carousel at the center of the action. Look at our guide to the best things to do in Cologne for more inspiration.

Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

Berlin's Christmas markets have a reputation for being sub-par for Germany, but that is changing.

There are almost 100 different Christmas markets in Berlin, including traditional, avant-garde, and pop-up events. One of the most charming is at Gendarmenmarkt , close to Friedrichstraße. Framed by the illuminated French and German Cathedral, you pay just a euro entry to wander the many festive booths or visit the heated artisan's tent where you can watch toy makers, goldsmiths, and wood carvers at work. Pro tip: kids enter for free, and free entry times can be monitored online.

If you can't get enough of the holiday spirit, visit more of Berlin's best Christmas markets like Schloss Charlottenburg, Scandanavian-themed Lucia Weihnachtsmarkt, Berliner Weihnachtszeit at Roten Rathaus, or the Hanukkah Market at the Jewish Museum.

Hamburg Christmas Market

Juergen Sack / Getty Images

Splashed against Hamburg’s stately and grand city hall is a Christmas market resembling a storybook's illustrations. Glowing, garlanded market stalls sling lanterns, beeswax candles, wood carvings, and other artisan goods. The shopping is split into themed alleys, grouped by type of good. The food and drink options are cozy, to say the least—the mulled wine flows freely, for example. The best snack, though, is traditional Lebkuchen —also known as Nuremberg gingerbread. The spicy, sweet treat takes shape as cookies of all sizes. Its key ingredients are honey, almonds, pepper, ginger, and cinnamon, and they come iced in sugar or dipped in chocolate. Whichever you choose, you can’t go wrong. This market’s magic turns up when the sun goes down. A towering sculpture of a Christmas tree, composed only of glimmering golden lights, illuminates the square, and a hovering Santa sleigh replica, suspended in the air, lights up the night.

Leipzig Christmas Market

LianeM / Getty Images

Dresden is Germany's oldest Christmas market; Leipzig is its second-oldest. It began as long ago as 1458. Perhaps its longstanding history and traditions are what give it that special touch and the classic holiday atmosphere for which it is famous: trumpeters and the St. Thomas Boys Choir make music that fills the air with Christmas cheer, from 250 stalls waft the scents of buttery waffles and chocolate, and garlands arching high above create a tunnel of ambiance.

The Finnish Village on Augustusplatz is a can't-miss. Visitors will lose their heads over the smoked salmon and mulled berry wine. Other highlights include a gigantic Saxon spruce Christmas tree, the world's largest Advent calendar, and a Ferris wheel.

Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market

Olga Niekrasova / Getty Images

Deep amid Germany’s Black Forest , comprising one side of Hell Valley, lies the snowy Ravenna Gorge. Its one-of-a-kind Christmas market is tucked below the Ravenna bridge, a 130-foot tall railway viaduct, arched and made of stone.

A unique feature of this particular market is that visitors can hike the surrounding wintry mountains—through which burbling brooks and waterfalls carve and firs dot the landscape—down into the river gorge to access it. Live piano music and light shows entertain revelers, and local delicacies like Black Forest ham, trout, schäufele (smoked pork shoulder), and käsespätzle (egg pasta with cheese) make quite the feast. German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe stayed overnight here in 1779.

Esslingen Medieval Christmas Market

AmzPhoto / Getty

There’s nowhere like the Christmas market in Esslingen. Here, you will find time frozen in the Middle Ages. Vendors sell the same goods they did centuries ago: amulets and knives, fruit and berry wines, gugels, and garbs. Many are in costume, donning felt hats. This is a festival of experience. Artisans and craftsmen demonstrate their trades and let attendees get their hands dirty, too. There are book-binding classes, archery tournaments, and dance festivals. You’ll find silversmiths, pewterers, knife grinders, calligraphers, candle-makers, glass-blowers, and spoon-carvers hard at work. There are more than 2,000 booths and 1 million visitors. From the jugglers to the pyro acrobatics, there’s no way you’ll be bored here.

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Musings of a Rover

10 Day Germany Itinerary in December: Visit the Christmas Markets!

Visiting the Christmas Markets in Germany was one of the best things I’ve ever done in December.

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There’s something magical about Germany in December. It actually made me feel that Christmas spirit. The markets, the food, the weather, the gluhwein…it all felt like Christmas. And that’s the main reason I think you should go to Germany in December. To feel that ole holly jolly spirit. (And to eat and drink your face off too.) So if you’re ready to do this, then read on for our 10 Day Germany Itinerary in December.

Now Germany is like a huge country with different regions. Instead of trying to see everything I did what I normally do – spend more time in less places. This means I spend more time on the ground (and in the Christmas markets) than I do on trains or planes.

So this itinerary focuses in on Bavaria. And in particular three cities in Bavaria: Regensburg, Rothenburg Ob der Tauber, and Munich. I felt like these places gave me what I was looking for – a great introduction to Germany’s Christmas markets.

Table of Contents

Best things to do in regensburg, how to get to regensburg, where to stay in regenburg, where to eat in regensburg, best things to do in rothenburg, how to get to rothenburg ob der tauber, where to stay in rothenburg, where to eat in rothenburg, best things to do in munich, how to get to munich, where to stay in munich, where to eat in munich, sample itinerary for 10 days in germany in december, what to pack for germany in december.

10 Day Germany Itinerary

Regensburg, germany.

This isn’t as popular a destination in Germany for international travelers. And that was the big reason I wanted to visit it. With the other two places on this list being kind of hot spots, I wanted a more local city. One that felt more German.

Now with that being said, this is a small city. River cruises dock here. And it seems to be a popular spot for Germans to visit. So don’t expect an un-crowded quaint town. This is a great city.

And a medieval city too. That’s right, Regensburg has some history you guys (and you know me and history….#historynerd). In fact its got 2000 years of it. But the best (in my opinion) are all the medieval bits.

The old town contains several buildings built before the 1600s and it even contains some Roman ruins. One of the best things to do in Regensburg was just to wander the city.

Read Next: 4 Regensburg Christmas Markets for Your Trip to Germany

Christkindlmarkt on Neupfarrplatz. This is the main Christmas Market in the Old Town. It’s based around the Neupfarrkirche church, and you can’t miss it. If you’re strolling through the Old Town, you’re likely to pass it through it within 10 minutes.

And this was one great Christmas market (my second favorite in fact). The main thing I remember about the Christmas market was all the gluhwein. Seriously, like all the gluhwein. This market seemed to have more types of gluhwein than any other market from our entire trip.

Not sure what I mean about gluhwein? My Regensburg post has a section that explains what it is and how to order it.

When planning the dates of your trip, be sure to check on when the Christmas market starts and ends .

Romantic Christmas Market. This Christmas Market is located outside Thurn & Taxis Castle. Yep it’s outside a freaking castle. However, and a big however, the market has an entrance fee and it’s not exactly cheap. (About 10 euros when we went.)

But the rate does go down after 9pm. Just be aware though that the market ends by 11pm so 2 hours might not give you a lot of time to explore. And this is one big Christmas market.

Adventsmarkt. My favorite market. It’s located across the river from the old town in Spitalgarten. The market itself is quite small. It only had a few vendors of each type, but it felt cozy.

So if you’re looking for a smaller market, then this one might be the one for you.

The usual drink options were here as well, including Feurzangenbowle (upgraded gluhwein with a sugar cube that’s lit on fire – yes fire – check the end of this post for a picture of the drink). But the food was fantastic. They’ve got the brats, but I also had a bread bowl with soup and lamb burgers.

Lucrezia Markt. This market is famous for their artisans and their crafts. And with that kind of reputation, you know you can find some really nice gifts here.

The market itself is quite small. With just a few options for gluhwein and food, but the lines for some items (like the Baumstriezel) were enormous. So you know it’s good. The market’s located on Haidplatz und Kohlenmarkt.

Stone Bridge. I know that sounds pretty plan, but this bridge is pretty cool. It extends north out of the Old Town and over the Danube heading towards Spitalgarten. Built in like 1100s, it was a wonder of medieval architecture.

Dom St Peter. Built in the 13/14th centuries, this cathedral towers over the city. And it’s one of Bavaria’s grandest gothic cathedrals. Ducking inside to check out the architecture is definitely a must. (Hey you got to burn off some of that gluhwein and brats.)

Regensburg is located in central eastern Bavaria. The closest cities are Munich and Nuremberg. Your best best would be to fly into one of these cities and then to take the train to Regensburg. Trains from either one of these places leave frequently for Regensburg.

Depending on when you get in, you should be able to catch a train that day. You can buy your train tickets the day of for your trip from one of the machines. There are options to either buy a ticket for the exact train and time you want (which is cheaper) or to buy a flex ticket that’s good for the whole day (which is more expensive).

You can also book your tickets in advance if you’d like as well. I’ve recently been using Trainline and found it very convenient to find routes. Though you can book directly with Germany’s bahn site as well.

Some routes may also ask for a reservation (which is a seat). If you don’t make one, you’re not guaranteed a seat. But (I believe) you need to book this at least 1 day in advance. I never made a reservation and would usually hang out in the space between the compartments and then 1/2 way through the journey, look for an open seat without anything on the display over it.

If you are coming from further afield, you might one stay your first night in that location. We actually flew into Stuttgart, spent the night there, and then took the train to Regensburg the next day. This was a longer train ride (3.5+ hours plus at least 1 change), but we found very cheap tickets to Stuttgart so it was worth it to us.

Want to know how I score cheap flights? I use Scott’s Cheap Flights ! It alerts you to deals for airports near you. If I’m not using my miles, I’m using Scott’s Cheap Flights.

If you’re thinking of adding Regensburg to your itinerary, definitely book your accommodation in advance (especially if you’ll be there over the weekend).

We booked only like a month and a half out and had zero options for a hotel under $500/night. And ended up with an Airbnb a mile outside of the Old Town. It was walkable and doable, but freaking cold.

I wish we would have booked earlier. Here are the options I liked:

• SORAT Insel-Hotel Regensburg . Located right near the Adventsmarkt. Plus its on an island in the middle of the Danube. That’s super cool.
• Restaurant Dicker Mann Hotel zum Blauen Krebs . The rooms look super cool and its right in the middle of the Old Town.
• Bohemian Hotel . Also in the middle of the Old Town. But this one is in a building from the 12th century! The history nerd in me is dying.

So for the three days we were in Regensburg, we went to one restaurant. Just one. I remember having a beer in another in the afternoon when it was just too cold outside, but we didn’t eat there.

Where did we eat instead? The Christmas Markets! Seriously plan for eating most of your meals at the markets. You just can’t beat it. And even if you try not to, you probably will end up stuffing your face there anyway. So plan for it.

Where was our one meal? Weltenburger Am Dom . This restaurant was fantastic. The food and servers were great. Though I would make a reservation. We went in late and barely got a table. And the servers were kind of astonished we hadn’t made one.

Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber

Rothenburg is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe. It’s got an almost intact city wall, towers, churches, tiny lanes, circle doors (I love these), sweeping rooftops, stonework, and that straight-out-of-a-fairytale architecture look. (Hopefully you’ll soon know what I mean by the pictures below.)

Rothenburg is simply beautiful . In terms of the architecture, beauty, scenery, and that olden feel, it beat our other two destinations hands down.

Now with all that good, here comes the bad. It being one of the best preserved towns means one thing, its damn freaking popular . It’s a tourist town. There are tons of tourists here. National and international ones.

This is not a hidden gem or anything of the sort. Plus Rothenburg is also along the “Romantic Road” which is a route through Germany that links several picturesque towns along the way. And Rothenburg is a highlight on it.

But I think as long as you know that going in, as long as you know you’ll get a freaking walled medieval town at the expense of crowds, you’ll be prepared.

Now why is Rothenburg still so preserved? Well for one you can thank the trade boom during the middle ages for building the beautiful city. And then the following bust when the people had no money to update. And its basically damn lucky for surviving so many wars.

If you’d like to learn more about its history (like I said I’m a history nerd), definitely go for the Night Watchman’s tour I mention below!

Read Next: Visit the Rothenburg Christmas Market

Rothenburg Christmas Market. The town has one Christmas Market and you can find it around the Marktplatz where it extends to the front of St. Jakob’s church. It’s not overly huge and there are plenty of artisans (who seemed super friendly here), food vendors, and gluhwein stalls.

There were a few things I loved in particular about this market. One is that the deposit for the gluhwein mugs was the cheapest here (probably because they get so many tourists who take one), but still it was nice.

The whole market also used the same gluhwein mugs and there were specific return spots placed around the market. So it meant grabbing a glass and wandering was no issue since you could alway return it to the nearest spot.

Medieval Wall. So yea, Rothenburg still has a wall that rings the city. Some if it is newer than medieval times, but that’s mostly due to repairs that had to be made due to things like bombings. But it’s still amazing.

Expect great views, towers, covered walkways (great to do even when its raining), and historical placards to keep you informed along the way. There are multiple entrances and exits to the wall, which is a good thing. The whole length of the wall is roughly 2.5km. (It was definitely a workout to walk the whole thing.)

Plönlein. This is the classic view of Rothenburg, and for good reason. The street diverges at this intersection with a beautiful wood framed house in between. Plus its got a medieval tower in the background for good measure. To check out Plönlein simply head south out of the city center.

Burggarten . This is an old castle garden (the castle’s long gone though) located in the oldest part of the city. But even though the castle may be gone, the views are not. It’s located high above the valley below and with its position to the far west of the city, gives great views of the southern part of Rothenburg.

Night Watchman’s Tour. This is is nightly tour that you can join each day, no reservations required. (You pay at the end.) Basically it starts at 8pm in front of the town hall in the Marktplatz. It’s led by a guy dressed up as a night watchman (think historical garb and you’re good to go).

Throughout the tour he’ll tell you about the history of Rothenburg while leading you through the nearby streets.

I was fascinated by the tales he told and if you have any interest in history, definitely go on this tour. Just remember you won’t be the only one. There were like 100+ people on my tour. (Yes 100+.) But I never had an issue hearing the stories.

Climb the Town Hall Tower. For a small fee you can climb the Town Hall tower that looms over the Marktplatz. It’s a tight squeeze up the staircase and around the top of the tower. (Like a really tight squeeze – those scared of heights be warned.)

But the views from the top can’t be beat.

Okay Rothenburg is a bit of smaller town, and its on the other side of Bavaria from Regensburg. So expect like 3 hours by train with like 3 changes minimum. (The last change through Steinach is always required on any train route.) And it’s not much better from Munich.

If that sounds like a hassle to you and Rothenburg didn’t call to you, you could totally go somewhere else. I think it was worth it, but that’s just my opinion.

Once I got the hang of them, I found the German train system to be easy to handle. So doing these 3 changes wasn’t a big deal. But to each their own here.

One last very important thing to mention. When you are booking your train ticket, be sure to use “Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber” instead of just “Rothenburg,” or you may end up in a different town.

We stayed in a nice apartment owned by the adjacent restaurant. It was the splurge of our trip:

• Gästehaus Edelzimmer

Okay I may have again stuffed my face at the Christmas Market. It constituted breakfast and lunch. But for dinners we actually ate out. However you’ll need to make reservations at most places in advance. So if you know where you want to go, try to get a reservation before you arrive.

• Zur Holl . This was our favorite restaurant. It’s also in the oldest building in Rotheburg as well. But you will need reservations. Try to make one on their website before you arrive because you may not get a seat otherwise.
• Zum Pulverer. We ate here on our first night. It was also good and we were able to get in without reservations. Hallelujah.

Munich is the capital of Bavaria…so it’s like a real, bustling city. While the other two places on my list are definitely smaller, Munich is not.

But I don’t think that should put you off. It’s got one of the coolest Christmas markets (you’ll soon see what I mean), great food, and beer halls. Plus it’s a city loaded with history.

No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll probably find it here.

Read Next: 5 Enchanting Things to Do in Munich

Medieval Christmas Market. Let me start with the coolest Christmas Market I went to during my entire trip. Yep, Munich has a medieval themed Christmas Market and everything about it is medieval. Gluhwein in goblets, drinking horns to purchase, and a giant hog on a rotating spit. It is hands down the coolest. The history nerd in me never wanted to leave. (It’s also super crowded at night so I suggest hitting it up earlier in the day.)

Munich Christkindlmarkt. The city’s main Christmas market is centered around the main square (Marienplatz). It’s sprawling and crowded. But also has limitless gluhwein stalls (or so it seemed), tons of food, and a great atmosphere.

Other Christmas Markets. There are like over 20 Christmas Markets in Munich alone. So definitely swing by some others. The Christmas Village at the Munich Residenz is a smaller market squeezed into a garden of the palace. Definitely a cool space. And Shwabinger Weihnachtsmarkt is a more local Christmas Market to the north of the city. You’ll have to take the metro there, but it has some great artisans.

Climb the Town Hall Tower. The Town Hall towers over Marienplatz (and the main Christmas Market). And for a small fee, you can ride an elevator to the top. And it’s not that scary since it’s pretty enclosed (though windy as all hell). Just be sure to buy your ticket at the Tourist Information inside the Town Hall before heading to the elevator. The attendant at the lift doesn’t sell tickets.

Climb St. Peters Church. Yep if the Town Hall doesn’t do it for you, then head across the square to St. Peters Church. And though sadly there are no elevators here, the views are still pretty amazing. But if you’re scared of heights, I would maybe hesitate. You’ll be pretty exposed up there.

The Residenz. This is the main palace in Munich. If you’re interested in learning more about the history of Munich, definitely think about doing a self-guided tour. Just know that the place is HUGE. After nearly 3 hours of exploring I just had to start walking through rooms to get to the exit because my feet were killing me (and I was getting hungry).

Frauenkriche. This church is like the symbol of the city. It’s the one with those two domed towers. And it’s super beautiful – both inside and out. Definitely give a stroll through the church if you can. You may also be able to climb the south tower. It was closed when we went for renovations, but you can always check if it’s open.

Beer Halls. This is Munich. Land of the Oktoberfest. You have to visit some beer halls. Of course Hofbrauhaus is the most popular, but there are others. We visited Ayingers next door and a few others around the city too.

Dachau Concentration Camp. This was something we did not do. However if we head back to Munich, I’d like to take a day trip to Dachau. This is obviously a somber activity but if learning and seeing what those camps were about interest you, definitely think about adding this to your list.

Since Munich is the capital, getting here isn’t a problem. From Rothenburg, you’re looking at about a 3 hours train ride. And from Regensburg, about 1.5 hours.

Once in Munich, you can catch their metro to many places throughout the city if you’re not in walking distance of the train station.

The closer you are to the city center, the more expensive things will be. Because we booked a bit late and were trying to keep our budget around $150/night, we stayed just outside of the city center. It was nice but I didn’t love the neighborhood. Luckily it was just 2 blocks from the start of the old town and in walking distance of the train station.

Here are some options I like near the train station:

• Rilano 24|7 – this is where we stayed.
• King’s Hotel Center Superior
• Eden Hotel Wolff
• Mercure München City Center
• Hotel Metropol

And here are some options closer to the old city center:

• Boutique Hotel Splendid-Dollmann
• Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski München
• Hotel MIO by AMANO

We actually ate out quite a bit in Munich (maybe because one can only eat so many brats). But regardless, we ate at quite a few restaurants. It would have been good if we had made reservations for these places. So if you know where you want to go and when, I recommend making them.

Here are the places we ate at.

• Ayinger am Platzl – beer hall located across the square from Hofbrauhaus
• Haxnbauer – famous for the pork knuckle
• Andechser am Dom – great restaurant near Frauenkriche
• Der Pschorr – good but I liked the places above more
• Schmalznudel Cafe Frischhut – the best German pastries

Okay so all that info above is great and all, but how long should you plan to stay in each place? Don’t worry, I got you.

If you think you’ll be all about the medieval towns, I would do 2 full days in both Regensburg and Rothenburg. If that doesn’t sound too enticing for you, I’d remove one day from one of them and spend a third day in Munich. This would be especially good if you wanted to go to Dachau.

• Day 1: Fly into Munich, take the train to Regensburg
• Day 2 & 3: Explore Regensburg
• Day 4: Travel from Regensburg to Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber
• Day 5 & 6: Explore Rothenburg
• Day 7: Travel to Munich
• Day 8 & 9: Explore Munich
• Day 10: Fly home from Munich

Read Next: How Much Does a Christmas Market Trip to Germany Cost?

Hopefully this won’t come as shock to you but…Germany be cold in December. Like really, really cold. Like holy crap bundle up because it’s freakishly cold outside.

Sadly we never saw snow (that would have been the ultimate Christmas Market atmosphere), but instead we had rain, drizzles, and wind. Snow would have been so much better.

Now some what to wear guides are all about the merino wool. I get it. It’s fantastic. It breathes, it wicks away moisture, it keeps you warm, it’s odor resistant, and…it’s also expensive as all hell. So if you have some, great! But I don’t think you need to go out and buy all the merino wool. You can probably cobble together some good base layers out of what you already have and maybe buy 1 or 2 needed ones in the merino wool (if you want to).

Okay, here is what I brought:

• Coat . I bought a new coat that winter and brought it. It’s basically a fancy ski jacket. I love it. Now you may not need a ski jacket, but a good coat is necessary. If you have a second puffy/packable one , you could throw it in as well. But I almost always just wore my big ski jacket one when we were outside. (In fact, looking back, I can’t really find a photo of me from the trip where I’m not wearing this coat.)
• Boots . I brought 2 but really just wore one. Pick one pair and go with it.
• Scarf, gloves, and hat . I actually brought two head coverings – a hat and a headband.
• Pants. I went for 2 skinny jeans – black and dark blue.
• Sweaters. I brought 2 wool sweaters, 1 fancy one and a thinner one. Then I brought 3 big and fluffy seaters. That’s 5 sweaters. But I wore these everyday and I tend to sweat a lot (merino wool is great, but it can only do so much). I think you may be able to get by with maybe 1-2 less if you’re tight on space. And you don’t sweat much.
• Socks. So I really liked that I brought a couple of wool socks on this trip. They did keep my feet warm. And the odor resistant thing was nice.
• Shirts. I brought a t-shirt (for sleeping), 1 plaid button-up, and 2 lightweight long sleeve shirt. On warmer days, I’d layer the long sleeve and plaid button up under my jacket instead of going for a bulky sweater.
• Base layers . Okay so if you can go merino wool, do it. Here’s the long sleeve shirt and pants I now have. But if you can’t afford it, then find something equivalent you already have. I didn’t have the pants above when I went, so I made due with an extra pair of leggings I could wear under my jeans.
• Leggings . I brought 1 pair of fleece lined leggings for the plane and for lounging around the hotel.

Make sure to pack all your normal toiletry and technology stuff (think charging cords – because I always forget one of mine). And that’s it!

Have an amazing time in Germany! Drink a gluhwein for me!

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you buy something through these thinks, I may earn a commission from the sale (at no extra cost to you!). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for reading along!

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2 thoughts on “ 10 day germany itinerary in december: visit the christmas markets ”.

Thank you for putting this out there. Filled with great tips! Getting excited already!

I would like to go with a tour and not reall

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The Best Places To Go, Germany In Winter

By: Author Corinne Vail

Posted on Published: 22 November 17  - Last updated: 2 January 24

Home » DIY Travel » Germany » The Best Places To Go, Germany In Winter

Are you thinking of visiting the land of Christmas markets and castles this winter? Germany in winter is a magical place to really get into the spirit with a snowy holiday! Check out these great places to enjoy the German winter season.

Have you ever thought of traveling to Germany during the winter? You should. Hands down, it’s the most magical season in this central European country. Forests and mountains are covered in pure, white snow, but the temperature isn’t too cold. You can easily spend the day skiing, hiking, snowshoeing or sledding in the many outdoor parks and recreation areas, but that’s not all.

From November to the end of December, every city, town, hamlet or dorf is blinged out with Christmas lights, a life-sized creche scene, and little wooden stalls ready to sell you everything from a hot mulled wine to locally made handicrafts. Germany knows how to do a Christmas market and there are hundreds to choose from.

Mountains, Christmas Lights – Germany in Winter is Magical!

We asked some professional travel bloggers where their favorite place in Germany to spend winter is, and they all sound wonderful. Which one do you want to go to?

Kreuzberg 

One of Jim’s and my favorite places to go is Kreuzberg. In mid-winter there is no place better for a snowy winter wonderland walk; enjoy the scenery and then head back to the monastery where the beer and lunch is cheap and delicious.

Kreuzberg is a monastery that has been making amazing beer since the 7th century. On site you go to the cafe and you can have a typical German lunch with your beer, or if you are a purist just a beer!

Kreuzberg is a great place for hiking in the summer and sledding in the winter.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen

By Megan at MeganStarr.com

It would be remiss for anyone to discount Garmisch-Partenkirchen as one of the best winter destinations in Germany. The Bavarian nature capital is home to so many incredible sights, including the launchpad and cable car that will take you to Germany’s tallest peak, Zugspitze , which proudly hugs the German border with Austria at 2,962m (9,718 ft) tall.

For a town with such a minuscule population, Garmisch sure does offer a lot for the winter traveler. Some of the other popular sites in Garmisch (aside from the incredible skiing and snowboarding opportunities there) are the Partnach Gorge, Lake Eibsee, and the Linderhof Palace. 

The best thing about Garmisch during winter is that it totally exudes that Bavarian Alps flair that everyone seeks when they come to this region of Germany. It just does not disappoint!

By Kristy at Tassie Devil Abroad

Situated on the Moselle River midway between Trier , Cologne and Frankfurt ; Cochem is a beautiful destination at any time but especially lovely during the winter. The winding streets of the medieval town are filled with Germany’s eponymous half-timbered houses; made particularly magical with a dusting of snow and the added Christmas decorations.

A small Christmas market also appears in the lead-up to Christmas, complete with a cute little festive train to ride through the town! There’s nothing lovelier than exploring the shops and stalls for gifts and then heading into a local restaurant for a cozy meal by a roaring fire.

Don’t forget to visit the stunning castle on top of the hill while you are Cochem , the guided tour is definitely worth it, or you can simply look out at the views over the town and river from the entrance for free. There is also a chairlift that will take you up to a looking-point on a hill opposite the castle for more stunning views.

Read our most popular articles on Germany! – Winter in Germany – Bavarian Christmas Markets ( + Itinerary) – Variations of Schnitzel – 5 Things You Didn’t Know about the Hofbrauhaus (Munich) – Fairytale Rothenburg and its Christmas Market

Check out all the thing to do during every season in Germany

By Kaylie of Happiness Travels Here

Sitting on the banks of the Elbe river, Dresden is best known for its dramatic reconstruction after being badly damaged during World War II. While it’s rise from the ashes is still palpable, the city now stands in its former baroque glory. In Winter the city really comes to life with festive Christmas markets and hot wine-fueled ice-skating.

The main market on the large old town square is said to be the oldest Christmas market in Germany. Built from the ground up each year the market resembles more of a village than a temporary festival.

There are a number of other Christmas markets spread throughout Dresden . My favorite is the Medieval Market which is held in the Stallhoff, the courtyard used for jousting tournaments.

Stallholders dress in traditional outfits and food here is cooked over open fires. Gluhwein is served alongside honey mead and hot sweet whisky brews. Try your hand at archery or cast off your modesty and grab some friends to soak in the wooden barrel hot-tubs!

By Bec at Wyld Family Travel

Munich is not all about beer and beer halls. You can wander the city and go to an amazing museum to stay warm, you can go to the Munich Residenz and see the most lavish decorations in a Palace, you can walk the city and watch the sun go down lighting Kings Square with a glow like nothing else.

You can watch families ice skate out in front of Nymphenburg Palace or have a snow ball fight out the back in the gardens and then you can still pop into a beer hall for a beer !

For me Munich, Germany is perfect in any season, but when we visited it in the winter I was amazed at its extra beauty. Munich covered in snow was a sight I will never forget and one that has to be one of my favorite memories.

It was not busy when we visited but we found so much to do around the city. It is an easy city to walk and if it is too cold you can hop on a bus or train and get to wherever you are going quickly. It is during this time that you can admire the city without as many people in it and you can enjoy the sites too, sometimes feeling like you are the only ones there.

By Lyn and Steve of A Hole In My Shoe

Not only is Heidelberg one of Germany’s most beautiful cities, but it is also the most romantic. There is no better time to enjoy the beauty and romance than winter. Heidelberg is a pretty city, nestled at a scenic spot on the Neckar River, between two mountains.

It is very romantic, roaming along its colorful cobbled alleyways, or along the river’s edge, looking across to the pastel red roofed buildings. Unlike much of Germany that was bombed during WWII, Heidelberg retains most of its late Medieval and early Renaissance architecture adding to the romantic charm.

The main attraction is the picturesque, historical castle ruins which looks majestic sitting high above the old town. Ride the funicular up the steep hill for a magnificent view overlooking the Neckar River.

From the Christmas markets below, the spectacular view looking up at the castle adds to the allure. When the crisp winter air bites there is nothing better than to head indoors for a warming Gluhwein at–where else–Café Romantic.

Winter is a great time for exploring the 14 th  century University and walking along the footbridge along the Neckar River is like stepping into the pages of a picture book, gazing up at the spectacular castle set high on the mountain. Across the river take the Philosopher’s Walk and explore quaint gardens, the forest and the unforgettable views.

By Karen at WanderlustingK

With its colorful Christmas markets and adorable architecture, Cologne is the perfect winter destination in Germany for Christmas market lovers. Cologne has over  six Christmas markets  that make Cologne one of the best German cities to visit in November/December.

If you visit Cologne, it’s impossible to miss its iconic church (Kölner Dom) in the city center and the charming winding streets filled with picturesque, colorful houses. Wandering around Cologne in winter is made better with a warm gluhwein.

Chocolate lovers will love the Chocolate Museum. Lastly, those lucky enough to attend Cologne’s carnival celebration in February will love the festive atmosphere in Cologne. Be sure to try the local beer, Kölsch, and possibly a boat ride down the scenic Rhine river. Cologne is perfect for couples looking for a romantic winter destination!

By Clemens at Travellers Archive

Leipzig – the German winter wonderland paradise, where all dreams about mulled wine and cute little Christmas stalls come true. The city is located in Sachsen and can easily be reached within 2,5 hours from the German capital Berlin . Especially in winter Leipzig is a true gem. The whole city transforms itself into a massive Christmas market , which connects all different courtyards and major squares.

Wander along the cobblestoned alleys and soak in all the beauty that surrounds the buildings, which are true architectural highlights. Apart from that, Leipzig is full of history. Not only can you find beautiful historic churches, but also Auerbachs Keller, which is a restaurant located in a cellar. Originally opened in 1525, it got its fame through Johann Wolfgang Goethe and his Faust.

You feel like a little nature? Go on a short daytrip to Zwenkauer See. If you are lucky, you can even go ice-skating here. If not, don’t worry, there will always be some mulled wine around to warm you up.

By Rashmi & Chalukya of Go Beyond Bounds

Nuremberg is the second largest city in Germany with its old town popular for the half-timbered houses and the world-famous traditional Christmas Market which dates back to 1600s. Nuremberg is an easy day trip from Munich but it is worthwhile to spend a couple of days here.

Nuremberg is home to some of the most gorgeous fountains, bridges and magnificent churches with breathtaking architecture and ornate interiors. We visited the city in November and it was still packed with tourists.

The Hauptmarkt market square in the old town center is the venue for a huge market every day except Sunday and the same market brightens up with Nuremberg Christmas market with more than 200 stalls selling local handicrafts and products drawing millions of visitors every year. And when you are here do not miss the chance to taste some delicious Nuremberg sausages and pretzels.

History buffs can also visit the Nazi Party Rally Grounds and Courthouse where the World War II trials were held.

By Elaine and David at The Whole World is a Playground

The city of Aachen in northwest Germany is one of our favourite places to visit in Germany during the winter. Also known as the Spa of Kings, Aachen is a mecca for spa lovers and relaxation is the order of the day at Aachen’s most popular spa, the Carolus Thermen Bad. When the thermal baths have sorted all your aches and pains it’s time to explore the incredible Aachen Christmas market .

Each December, the entire centre of the old town of Aachen transforms into a truly magical Christmas market wonderland. The winding streets of the old town are jam packed with bustling crowds visiting stalls selling delicious food, holiday gifts and of course mulled wine!

Make sure to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Aachen Cathedral, one of the most stunning churches we’ve visited in Europe. This incredible cathedral was the first UNESCO site granted in Germany and was used to crown German emperors for over 600 years.

By Arzo at Arzo Travels

I hear some people wondering out loud why I think Bremen is a great winter destination in Germany . After all, it is flat – flat, flat, flat and there are no mountains in sight and so there is no chance to go skiing anywhere. The truth is that Bremen is pretty great to visit even in winter despite the lack of mountains.

The city has one of the best Christmas markets in Germany. All over the city center are stalls that sell mulled wine, snacks, and gifts, and Bremen feels very Christmas like with all the lights that make Bremen even prettier.

If you need a break from shopping and strolling around the Christmas market head to the Schlachte, a popular promenade with many restaurants and cafes lined up. There you’ll get to see even more beautiful winter decorations and stalls – making it one of the most beautiful spots to spend winter.

If you are lucky and it snows in Bremen you can have fun and have some snowball fights in one of the many parks close to the city center. If you prefer ice-skating you might get lucky and the river freezes so you can do outdoor ice-skating – if not, there is still the option to visit the indoor ice-skating hall in Bremen. Either way, these options make Bremen a pretty awesome place to visit in winter.

Germany is one of the best places to take a winter vacation. With the Bavarian Alps, Christmas markets, and well-maintained roads and public transportation, you can really enjoy the snow. 

Some of the places in Germany where you can find a perfect winter vacation are:

• Kreuzberg – for monastic beer and sledding
• Rothenburg – the best Christmas market in the country
• Berlin – great history and a plethora of Christmas markets
• Garmisch-Partenkirchen – Bavarian hospitality and skiing

Where in Germany would you like to go in winter?

Author Bio: Corinne Vail is a travel photographer, food lover, and a perpetual traveler who has been travel writing for over 14 years. For many years she lived overseas in Germany, Japan, Turkey, South Korea, and the Netherlands teaching the children of the US. military. She’s visited over 90 countries, and she’s not stopping anytime soon.

Pin Traveling in Germany during winter for later to help with planning!

Corinne Vail

Wednesday 13th of December 2017

Germany is fantastic, have you been?

Sincerely, Alice

Tuesday 12th of December 2017

This is a great in depth post! I've always wanted to visit Germany!

Thanks Alice. Germany is a fantastic destination, no matter the time of year.

Saturday 9th of December 2017

Thanks for including us Corinne, there are still some amazing Christmas markets in Germany we are yet to visit.

Sunday 10th of December 2017

Lyn, Thanks for your contribution...we love a good Christmas market.

100cobbledroads

Thursday 30th of November 2017

We went to Germany in the fall and covered few of these destinations. They look transformed with that white cover of snow and so much more beautiful too :) Would love to go back in winter sometime.

Punita, If you love winter, Germany is the perfect place.

Wednesday 29th of November 2017

I do love Germary in any season but you are right it is pretty magical in the winter season, with the forests and mountains covered in snow. I think my first ever christmas market was the one in Cologne and I went in December with my friends, your picture took me right back there and I would be definitely keen to go again.

Mel, I do love Cologne. It's a great Christmas market to start with.

The 5 Absolute Best Cities for Christmas Markets in Germany

Few European traditions are more iconic than the famous Christmas Markets in Germany— often imitated, but never duplicated. Created in Dresden in the 15 th century as a gathering place and local market, the markets served a practical purpose first and foremost: present-shopping for loved ones and family, all while encouraging artisans and their craft. More than just glühwein and bratwurst, the Christmas markets quickly became a staple of the German identity and extended to all parts of the country, even beyond, each region adapting the concept to its own ways.

This post contains pretty much all of my German Christmas Markets photos EVER. This is a photo heavy post to get your wanderlust sparked up!

Christmas Markets in Germany

The Christmas market at Charlottenburg Palace is definitely the most magical one in Berlin, perhaps the most photogenic as well and also the largest, with over 150 stalls and vendors. Although quite recent — the market only officially opened in 2007 — it really doesn’t feel like a novelty thanks to the 300-year-old royal palace, all lit up for the occasion. Because of its extremely traditional approach,baroque soundtrack, and exceptional backdrop, this particular market is the perfect introduction to German Christmas markets and a great starting point to any market tour. The Palace also offers special guided visits of its state rooms in December.

Welcome to the most photographed Christmas market in the world! Located in the highly touristy Mitte area of Berlin, this market is easily accessible by public transportation and located within minutes of other famous landmarks like the Berliner Dom, the festive Unter den Linden avenue and Museumsinsel. The square, framed by the illuminated French and German Cathedrals as well as the Concert House, despite being quite spectacular at its bare state, is all decked out for the occasion, with a gigantic Christmas tree, dozens of wooden cabins, and even a stage that welcomes choirs, dancers and acrobats.

I’ve talked about Esslingen’s Christmas Market quite abundantly , and rightfully so methinks. It it without a doubt my favorite one, because the city looks like it’s straight out of a fairytale or a postcard. Located just a few kilometers outside bustling Stuttgart, Esslingen in a medieval village that was, thankfully, spared in the bombings of World War II. It’s incredibly well-preserved and colorful town center dates back to the 1600s.

Pretty much the entire city of Esslingen is taken over by Christmas markets — it seems as though everywhere you look, there is a different Christmas market. I visited a medieval one, a circus-like one and a more traditional one, all in the space of 24 hours! Esslingen is worth a visit for its sheer beauty and exceptional architecture — it is after all part of the famous German timber-frame road – especially at Christmas time, where the half-timbered houses and medieval atmosphere make for a memorable backdrop.

Dresden’s markets have a very good reputation preceding them, especially the medieval one — it is, supposedly, the oldest one in Germany, dating all the way back from 1434. Traditionally called Striezelmarkt, a name derived from Hefestriezel, a sweet delicacy now known as Dresden Christstollen, or German Christmas Cake. And as if being the oldest Christmas market wasn’t enough to convince visitors, Dresden is also home to the world’s tallest Christmas pyramid, standing at 14 metres tall, as well as the world’s biggest nut cracker.

The iconic ginger cookies found all over the Christmas markets are called Lebkuchen, and they come in all shapes and sizes. The most common ones are heart-shaped and highly ornate icing and sporting different holiday greetings.

Christmas markets wouldn’t be the same without glühwein! Each city sports different glühwein mugs, not unlike the ginger cookies. You have to pay a deposit – usually 2 euros — for the mug when you get glühwein, after which you can carry the mug around the market as you browse and explore. You can even keep it as a souvenir!

Although Christmas Markets in Germany are at their best in the evening, they tend to get quite crowded (not to mention freezing, sub-zero temperatures). Most markets will open in the early afternoon, giving tourists ample time to visit and chat with vendors before the flocks of locals and visitors arrive after dark.

Christmas Markets in Germany are traditionally a place where friends and family would gather to chat and browse for Christmas presents. And centuries later, the tradition is still very much alive and has not changed a lot. Arts and crafts, clothing, regional delicacies and sweets abound.

Disclaimer: I was on assignment for Eurail.com on this trip. All opinions are my own, Christmas markets are cold as hell but awesome.

[wpgmza id=”39″]

Marie-Eve is a native Montrealer trying to balance a deep love for her hometown and an unquenchable thirst for travel and discovery. She has been to more than 36 countries, lived abroad in both France and the U.K., and is always on the lookout for authentic experiences wherever she travels -- especially if it involves wine.

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Food plays a huge part in the Advent traditions © FamVeld/Getty

December in Germany has always been an important time and for visitors it's the perfect month to experience centuries-old Christmas traditions that are still alive today.

Historically, Advent is meant to be a period of time for preparing for the Christmas religious holiday and runs from the start of December until Christmas Eve. Nowadays, it's a time to get together with friends and family - Deutsche Gemütlichkeit (German coziness or hygge). Candles are lit, Christmas decorations set up and homes fill with the smell of cinnamon and freshly baked cookies. 

You can start feeling the Advent atmosphere in mid-November; people start spending more time inside, slowly enveloping themselves and their homes in wintery magic. Families and friends get together to sing Christmas songs, for baking sessions, for dinner or just simply spend time with each other - things there was not enough time for throughout the busy year.

Life slows down and the whole country dives into the holiday anticipation mood. Travelling to Germany in December is a great way to see the country in a festive mood and experience a fairytale-like atmosphere . Because it's such a popular time to visit, it’s better to book and plan all activities in advance.

Read more:  Germany for first-timers

German Christmas traditions

At the end of November farmers markets start selling “ Adventskranz ” – a wreath traditionally made of evergreens and topped with four candles.  One additional candle will be lit each Sunday until all four burn together before Christmas Eve. Lots of families create the wreath themselves but you can find them at the weekly farmer’s market in most German cities. More modern wreaths bought at department stores or small design shops are designed to last years. 

Around this time, Christmas markets open in the heart of most cities and villages, while larger destinations can have markets in every district. Among the little huts selling food and goods,  Glühwein (mulled wine ), roasted caramelized almonds and Reibekuchen (potato fritters) with applesauce are the most popular treats. Crafts like bees-wax candles, wooden carved figurines or Christmas tree decorations made of paper or glass are everywhere; perfect for a beautiful souvenir. 

Among the most well-known Christmas markets are Nuremberg , Dresden and Aachen but for a real fairytale atmosphere, try markets at smaller cities like Rothenburg ob der Tauber or the villages of the Black Forest . Mountainous regions like in the south of Germany also have a higher chance of snow in December.

Read more:   8 Christmas traditions from around the world

Every bakery decorates and sells Christmas cookies - Gingerbread, Lebkuchen and Weihnachstgebäck  - and a great gift to bring home. Another great sweet treat is a Weihnachtsstollen - a cake-like sweet bread with raisins, dried apricots, marzipan and nuts covered in a cloud of sugar powder. 

On 6 December is the celebration of Saint Nikolaus – not to be confused with Santa Claus. The evening before, you'll see children polishing their boots and placing them outside their door because Nikolaus is on his way. Overnight the shoes of well-behaved kids will be filled with nuts, oranges and chocolates while those misbehaving would only receive a “ Rute ” (twig). 

If you travel with kids , tell them about the tradition and encourage them to place their shoes outside your hotel door. Some hotels and B&Bs enjoy playing along and provide little surprises for their young guests. If not, you can always become Nikolaus yourself.

  Advent time comes to an end with the beginning of the Christmas holidays. Christmas Eve is when a lot of families gather together for dinner and go to church. Afterwards there are presents stashed under the decorated Christmas tree. 25 and 26 December are national holidays when everyday life comes to a complete halt and are reserved for family visits and reuniting with close friends. 

Best Christmas markets in Germany

With Christmas markets all over the city and beautiful decorations, spend an entire weekend exploring, combining first-class shopping, traditional Bavarian food, and stop-overs for a cup of mulled wine and sweet treats. Munich has a high chance of snow in December and the crispy air in the evenings make a stroll through the city even cosier.

A student city with a long history dating back to the Charles the Great, its beautiful old town is worth a visit any time of the year but is especially charming around Christmas. The old town is packed with narrow streets smelling of freshly baked Aachener Printen (a sort of gingerbread cookie) and  Katschhof and the Market Square are filled with Christmas huts. It makes a great day visit from Cologne or Düsseldorf .

Read more:   Traditional Christmas desserts from around the world (and where to try them)

Bremen old city and the Schnoorviertel are beautifully lit and decorated and the statue of the famous Bremen Town Musicians from the Brothers Grimm tales will spice up your photos. You'll find a lot of fish dishes at these Christmas markets and it's a great way to see how Advent is observed in northern Germany. Bremen is not as busy as neighbouring Hamburg but has enough activities to keep you busy during a weekend.  

For Christmas vibes in a little village with a gorgeous set up in the Eifel mountains and most-likely snowy surroundings, Monschau is a good choice. The village is touristy but don't let that put you off.

With Kölner Dom  standing above the city and a lively Christmas market at its feet, the view alone will impress any visitor. But Cologne has not only one, but several Christmas markets around the city. It gets very busy during December and you can spend an entire weekend shopping for unique presents or drinking coffee with Christmas baked goods in one of the trendy coffee shops in the Belgian Quarter and Köln Ehrenfeld. Also try the market located at the Rhein river next to the Schokoladenmuseum .

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14 Best Places to Visit in Germany in Winter

Written by Diana Bocco Updated Sep 16, 2022

Germany is a wonderland of mountains, castles, and ancient cities that will awe you at any time of the year. But visit in winter, and the picture-perfect landscapes covered in snow are suddenly just a bit more magical, more alive.

Whether you're headed to historical Berlin or the vast beauty of the Black Forest, Germany is full of particularly beautiful places to visit during the colder months.

Add to that better prices and smaller crowds, and you'll start realizing why this is a country that's best explored as the temperatures plummet. Need some inspiration? Take a look at our list of the best places to visit in Germany in winter.

1. Zugspitze Mountain

4. baden-baden, 5. mosel valley, 7. garmisch-partenkirchen, 8. neuschwanstein castle, 9. partnach gorge, 10. dresden, 11. rothenburg ob der tauber, 12. baiersbronn, 14. berchtesgaden national park, map of places to visit in germany in winter.

Germany's best ski resort is at the top of the country's tallest mountain. Zugspitze sits at just under 3,000 meters above sea level and is home to three glaciers. While the mighty mountain is best known for its slopes, it also attracts climbers and mountaineers. The base of Zugspitze offers plenty of trails for winter hiking and snowshoeing.

Three cable cars and the Bavarian Zugspitze Railway (the third highest railway in Europe) make their way up the mountain, bringing sports enthusiasts to the winter sports area. Here, skiers and snowboarders will find 20 kilometers of slopes open and ready for six months out of the year. There are also toboggan runs available.

Many of the pistes are high above the clouds, and the 2,600-meter-high Zugspitz Plateau is famous for its sunny winters — a perfect combination to make thrill-seekers flock here as late as April. No wonder it's one of Europe's best ski resorts .

For visitors who need a break from all the excitement, Zugspitze Mountain is home to several restaurants and huts , as well as the igloo village Zugspitze , which offers igloo rooms for a night to remember.

The largest city in the North Rhine-Westphalia region, Cologne has plenty to offer all year long. In winter, the city remains warmer than much of Germany, but still sees some snow.

On those cold January days, head to the Claudius Therme thermal bath to try their outdoor pools and saunas, warming up under the darkening sky. Cologne's carnival in February is also one of the largest in the country, with celebrations and parades taking to the streets for days.

Some of Europe's best Christmas markets are in Germany - and the ones in Cologne are particularly stunning. The city's largest Christmas market is right in front of the Cologne Cathedral's 157-meter-tall Gothic tower. Here, over 150 wooden pavilions sell everything from hand-painted holiday cards to lebkuchen (gingerbread) cookies, traditional wooden toys, and quirky Tassen tableware.

Berlin's chilly, snowy winters are perfect for indoor fun, but if you're visiting in December, the Christmas markets can't be missed either.

Potsdamer Platz's Winterworld , the historical Gendarmenmarkt Christmas market, and the Domäne Dahlem Advent market (located at a former manor) all offer a different experience, where glassblowers, artisans, carousels, and warm gingerbread combine for an amazing holiday experience.

While you're dressed up for the cold, make time to visit the Botanical Garden, which between mid-November and early January transforms into the Berlin Christmas Garden , filled with magical fairy lights and its own ice-skating rink. The Berlin Wall's outdoor exhibits are also a must at any time of the year.

For indoor entertainment, head to Berlin's Museum Island , where five museums hold everything from sculptures and art to the Pergamon Altar and the Ishtar Gate of Babylon. Winter is the perfect time to visit the museums, as the crowds are much smaller.

You can also tour the Reichstag (Germany's parliament building), see a show at the world's biggest theater stage (the Friedrichstadt Palast), and pick up some souvenirs at Europe's largest department store, Kaufhaus des Westens.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Berlin

The charming spa town of Baden-Baden sits near the border with France, right against the Black Forest and its enchanting attractions . Although a great destination in any weather, winter adds to the magic of the region. Snow transforms the Black Forest into a winter fairy tale, providing opportunities for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the many well-laid trails just minutes from Baden-Baden.

For stunning views, you can also ride the historical Merkurbergbahn (cable car) up Merkur Mountain and discover the many winter trails there. Or hike up to the ruins of Schloss Hohenbaden castle, crowning the hills right above town.

Back in town, there are plenty of Christmas markets to explore in December. You can take a stroll through Lichtentaler Allee park, then grab a table at one of the many cozy cafés around for some traditional chocolate truffles.

Or visit the late-Gothic Stiftskirche church, then head to the Museum Frieder Burda to see the stunning collection of modernist and expressionist art.

As a spa town, Baden-Baden has plenty to offer as well. In winter, take a hot dip into thermal waters at the Caracalla Spa, try Roman baths at Friedrichsbad, or step into a salt cave for some salty sea-like breeze.

Located in southwestern Germany and extending into France and Luxembourg, The Mosel Valley is home to many quaint towns and storybook castles. The towns of Cochem and Burg Eltz are particularly stunning in winter, offering breathtaking views over the river, ancient castles, and plenty of hills for hiking — all of it more magical under a dusting of snow.

Castles and historical sites around the Mosel Valley are perfect in winter — the fog and snow add to the mystery, and the sites are almost empty, free of the big crowds you'll encounter in summer. In December, the Christmas markets in the region — especially the historical ones at Zell an der Mosel and Bernkastel-Kues — light up the valley.

Even in winter, it's worth braving the cold to explore the Old Town centers in the area. Half-timbered buildings that seem out of a fairy tale line up the streets and make for great photo opportunities. While the river cruises don't run in winter, you can take the train from Koblenz to Cochem and get similar scenic views along the way.

Winter transforms most of Germany into a snowy wonderland, but the old city of Hamburg makes the most of the cold weather. As soon as the temperatures plummet, Hamburg starts offering advent concerts in the city's many churches, and Christmas markets start selling stollen (fruit cake), as well as hot chocolate for shoppers.

In the inner city park of Planten un Blomen park, an ice rink pops up in winter, complete with colorful lights and weekend DJs.

Hamburg lies on the river Elbe and is home to many canals and over 2,500 bridges, perfect for photographing the lights of the city as the fog rolls in. For a more in-depth water experience, head to Landungsbrücken pier to catch a winter boat ride.

Near the pier, you'll also find two museum ships : the cargo ship Cap San Diego and the three-masted sailing ship Rickmer Rickmers . It's possible to book passenger cabins to sleep on the Cap San Diego .

For a break from the cold, check out the Internationales Maritimes Museum Hamburg or visit the world's largest model railway and miniature airport museum at Miniatur Wunderland, one of Hamburg's top attractions . Hamburg is home to over 60 museums and 40 theaters, so finding things to do indoors won't be hard.

About an hour and a half from Munich and at the foot of the mighty Zugspitze mountain, the two towns that make up Garmisch-Partenkirchen are a winter haven for nature lovers.

The 1936 Olympic Games were held here, and its closeness to some of the country's tallest and most beautiful mountains means this is a prime destination for skiing, winter hiking, and cross-country skiing . The historical ski jumping hill of Olympiaschanze is worth a quick visit as well.

But Garmisch-Partenkirchen has more things to do than just snow fun. A leisurely walk through the neighborhood of Partenkirchen and its traditional half-timbered houses with carved scrollwork is a great way to spend a sunny winter afternoon — especially if you make some time to sit down at a local café for some chocolate cake.

For some indoor fun, stop by the Werdenfelser Heimatmuseum and get a peek at local life in the 1800s. And for a stunning view of the alpine surroundings, hop in one of the many gondolas that depart from town, including the Hausbergbahn Gondola, which goes 1,338 meters up Hausberghöhe mountain, or the Alpspitzbahn cable car, which takes you up the Zugspitze to the breathtaking AlpspiX viewing platform.

Germany is home to many stunning castles , but few can match the magic of Neuschwanstein Castle, the castle that inspired Disney's princess castle.

The Romanesque Revival palace sits on a hill in the heart of Bavaria. Originally commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria to be used as a retreat, the castle was almost immediately opened to the public after his death in 1886.

Of the original 200 rooms planned, only 15 were ever fully finished. Today, visitors can tour the king's quarters and some of the other rooms.

During the warmer months, the castle sees as many as 6,000 visitors per day, but things are much quieter in winter. Group tours are smaller, photos are better when fewer people are around, and the frosty endless forests around add to the magic.

In addition, the train ride from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle is stunning in winter, as the train crosses alpine villages and forested mountains dusted in snow. It's one of the best day trips from Munich .

Most tourists heading to the Partnach Gorge arrive in summer - but the Partnach is equally stunning in winter, especially after a heavy snowfall. It sits in the Reintal valley between two massive limestone walls that reach 80 meters high in some areas. Deep into the gorge, visitors can walk along the river, behind the frozen waterfalls, and above the snow-covered rocks in the river below.

The gorge is 700 meters long, with additional trails that take you across suspension bridges and through deep green forests. For those with an even bigger sense of adventure, guided torchlight hikes are held through the gorge only during winter.

It's a magical experience, walking in the dark with the light reflecting on the surrounding trickles of ice.

The nearby winter resort town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen offers plenty to do, and the picturesque Alpine lakes Eibsee and Riessersee offer additional winter hikes and picture opportunities.

Home to Germany's oldest officially recorded Christmas market, Dresden truly puts on a show during the holiday season. Craftsmen — selling Saxony's Silesian ceramics, Ore Mountain wood carvings, and plenty of blown-glass ornaments — are always in attendance, and Dresden is also well-known for selling traditional Christmas Stollen.

Dresden was heavily damaged by bombing during WWII and painstakingly restored over the next few decades. Today, visitors can see the Baroque palaces, churches, and other Dresden landmarks in all their glory again.

The Hofkirche church, reconstructed using some of the original salvaged stones, is one of the best places to visit in winter, when advent concerts take over the city. And the magnificent Zwinger Palace is equally stunning under a dusting of snow.

The inner courtyard of the Palais Taschenberg gets transformed into a giant ice-skating rink between November and January every year. Indoors, the shopping malls get decked for the cold weather with great sales and local food specialties.

And if you're inclined to take a little day trip, the winter resort town of Altenberg is less than an hour away. Here, you'll find 14 cross-country ski trails, plus plenty of opportunities for winter hiking, snowshoeing, and tobogganing.

Located on the western edge of Bavaria, the picturesque town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of the most photographed in Germany. And if you thought this medieval town looks stunning in pictures, you should see it in person while blanketed in snow.

During December, the medieval Christmas market is one of Rothenburg ob der Tauber's must-see attractions and a great place to shop for a unique souvenir while snacking on roasted chestnuts.

The Kathe Wohlfahrt Christmas Village , however, is open all year-round - so arrive in November or January and you can still enjoy the magic of the holidays as you walk around for photo opportunities next to a 16-foot-tall Christmas tree or the 12-foot-tall Nutcracker.

The German Christmas Museum , in the heart of town, is a great place to see 19th-century Christmas tree decorations and learn more about old holiday traditions.

To see the town's rooftops covered in snow, head over to the City Tower or walk the cobblestone streets of the Old Town square. The views are incredible either way.

Located in the heart of the Black Forest , Baiersbronn is a medieval municipality with much to offer in winter.

Chilly, snowy nights are perfect for cozying up to a fire and enjoying a hearty warm meal. And Baiersbronn might just be the perfect place for it, since it's home to eight Michelin-starred restaurants .

During the day, warm up by taking to the trails — there are over 500 kilometers of them around the city. Once the snow gets too deep, many of them transform into snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails. There are several ski lifts around the area, and children will love sledding on the many local slopes.

In town, the Markplatz (central town square) offers opportunities to shop, admire the old architecture, and explore traditional Christmas Markets. Or you can head out into the countryside to the ruins of the Allerheiligen monastery.

Trier is perhaps best known for its Roman past and for being the birthplace of Karl Marx. But Trier, founded in 16 BCE, is also Germany's oldest city . This means the beautiful architecture of half-timbered houses mixes with Roman ruins like the Porta Nigra Roman city gate and the Trier Amphitheater.

Trier is a very walkable city and everything you want to see is within walking distance, so put on a heavy coat and warm shoes and go out to explore.

December is Trier's most snowy month, which works perfectly when it comes to chances of having a white Christmas. Snow or not, Tier's Christmas market (set against the backdrop of Trier Cathedral) is a must-see. Don't forget to pick up some hot chocolate while exploring the market — it's usually served in a collector mug (meaning, you can take it home) featuring the town name on it.

Christmas concerts are often held at the Roman-era Aula Palatina, or you can spend some cold afternoons visiting Trier's museums and historical sights .

Located in the Bavarian Alps on the border with Austria, Berchtesgadener National Park is a treat to visit any time of the year. But come wintertime — as the park's lakes freeze over and the snow-covered forests start to welcome snowshoers — there's a special magic that takes over.

Königssee lake is often considered Germany's most beautiful Alpine lake. It often freezes over in winter, covered by a haunted layer of mist in the mornings. If you arrive in early winter or as spring approaches, you'll be able to take a boat across it to reach the ice chapel (Eiskapelle) and catch sight of the Baroque St. Bartholomä church. If the boat isn't running, you can hike to the ice chapel — just be prepared for the six-kilometer-long round trip.

During very cold winters, you might be able to ice-skate on the lake.

Winter walks are still possible in the park if there's no heavy snow — otherwise, bring your snowshoes or your cross-country skies.

The nearby village of Berchtesgaden offers accommodation if you want to stick around and explore for more than one day.

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Home » Travel » Destinations » Christmas Markets in Germany by Train: A Complete Itinerary

Christmas Markets in Germany by Train: A Complete Itinerary

If you want a major dose of holiday cheer in December, head to Germany’s Christmas markets. Warm spiced cider, inviting wooden chalets, and twinkling lights will surely ward off your winter blues. And thanks to the country’s excellent public transit system, visiting Christmas markets in Germany by train is easy and efficient.

Germany’s cities and villages have been hosting Christmas Markets for centuries. They began in the Middle Ages as “winter markets”, where tradesmen sold their goods to the locals during Advent.

As time went on, these markets grew from small events lasting a few days to the epic, month-long celebrations we see today.

While the first recorded winter market was held in Vienna in 1298, the city of Dresden, Germany held the first so-called “Christmas market” in 1434. With this much history behind them, it’s no surprise that German Christmas Markets are spectacular events!

Although each market is unique, there are a few elements that you’ll find across the country. Traditional food and drink are a huge draw, with sausage and glühwein ( mulled wine) being the most popular.

Merchants sell handmade Christmas ornaments, snow globes, nativity figurines, and other holiday decorations. And of course, there will be a multi-story Christmas tree towering over everything.

Before you jump into the Germany Christmas market itinerary like a kid on Christmas morning, take a look at the tips below. I promise they’ll save you a lot of headache, and even a bit of money!

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Germany Christmas Market Guide

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Eat (and drink) the local specialities

Food and drink play a major role in Germany’s Christmas markets. The moment you enter, you can smell the smoke from grilling sausages and the fruity, spicy aroma of  glühwein.

While staples like bratwurst, potato pancakes (r eibekuchen ), and hot chocolate are available everywhere, each region and city has its own local specialties.

Nuremberg is famous for lebkuchen , a gingerbread-like cookie with a soft texture. Frankfurt markets sell mulled apfelwein , a wine made from pressed apples. And in Munich, you’ll find Bavarian specialties like white sausage and  käsespätzle , a cheesy dumpling noodle dish topped with fried onions.

Book your hotel rooms early

German Christmas markets draw visitors from all over the world. To have any hope of booking at a reasonably priced hotel, you need to reserve your rooms at least a month in advance . Two months is better.

I’ve included my detailed hotel recommendations for each city further down the post. But here’s a quick list for your reference:

• Bensons Hotel  in Aachen
• Hyatt Regency Köln  in Cologne
• Motel One Frankfurt-Römer  in Frankfurt
• Gideon Hotel  in Nuremberg
• Hotel Mirabell  in Munich

Learn a few German phrases

I always learn a few basic phrases before traveling abroad. Although everyone spoke English at the markets we visited, I always feel better when I can ask for things and say “thank you” in the local language.

Here are some helpful phrases for your German Christmas market trip:

• Yes – Ja ( ya )
• No – Nein ( nine )
• Pardon Me – Entschuldigung ( en-SHUL-di-gung )
• Thank You – Danke ( DAWN-kuh )
• Please – Bitte ( BIT-eh )
• I don’t speak German – Ich spreche kein Deutsch ( ish SPRE-ke kine doitch )
• Water – Wasser (VA-sa)
• One – Ein ( eyen )
• Two -Zwei ( zveye )

Always carry cash

If you plan to do more than window shop at the German Christmas markets, you’ll need to bring euros. While some stalls in big cities like Frankfurt accept card payments over a certain threshold, most operate in cash only. Be sure to bring a coin purse to hold your change!

Visit the popular German Christmas markets twice

If you follow me on Instagram , you know that I like to keep it real. Some Instagrammers might have you thinking the markets are charming, mostly empty places where you can take a selfie with no one in the background. Unfortunately, the most popular German Christmas markets are as crowded as Disneyland during peak times!

As someone who gets terribly stressed out in crowded situations, I designed my Germany Christmas market itinerary to allow for nighttime and daytime visits in each city.

While the markets have a more magical, illuminated atmosphere at night, they’re also packed with people. In fact, I can only describe our experience in Cologne at night as being swept away in a human river, with no chance to go against the flow.

But during the day (especially a weekday), it’s far easier to enjoy the stalls and ambiance at your own pace. This is the best time to shop, take photos, and walk around with your mulled wine.

RELATED: Berlin Off The Beaten Path: 13 Unique Things to Do

Scope out the mugs and collect your favorites

One of my favorite things about Christmas markets in Germany are the sustainability practices. Food comes in biodegradable containers with wood utensils. And instead of plastic cups, each market has beautiful mugs for serving drinks.

They use a deposit system for the mugs ( pfand in German), so you’ll pay an extra 3-5 euros for your first drink. You use the same mug for refills, and when you’re finished drinking, you can return the mug to any drink stall in that market for your deposit.

Within each of the cities in this itinerary, there are multiple markets, and each market has its own signature mug. I like to scope out the options at night, and then return the next day to buy my favorite mug. The cute red boot pictured above is now a permanent part of my Christmas decor!

Download the DB Navigator App

I absolutely love the DB Navigator App for getting around Germany via public transit. DB (Deutsche Bahn) is the main train operator in Germany, and their app lets you purchase tickets and make seat reservations right from your phone.

When you’re visiting Christmas markets in Germany by train, it’s super convenient to skip the ticket machines and hop right on the next available train. You’ll even get notifications if your journey has been delayed, or if there’s been a platform change.

Consider buying a German rail pass

I’m all about saving money when traveling , and one easy way to do that is by purchasing rail passes. The German Rail Pass  gives you unlimited rides on all DB trains (and some other operators), including the fast ICE trains that connect the major cities on this itinerary. There are 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, and 15 day passes, with consecutive and non-consecutive day options.

Because my husband and I were traveling together, we were able to buy the Twin 5-day pass, which saved a bit of money over buying individual tickets. It also came in handy when delays and cancellations happened, because we could simply change our route rather than be stuck waiting hours for the next train.

Note that only residents outside of Europe, Turkey and Russia are eligible to buy the pass. However, the sales page uses your passport’s issuing country, so it’s possible to buy the pass if you’re currently traveling in Europe.

Early December is the best time to do a Germany Christmas market trip. While all of the markets on this itinerary open sometime during the last week of November, the opening ceremonies draw extremely large crowds.

Visiting the first week of December is ideal because most people will still be at work/school during the day. As the month goes on, more and more Europeans will take their winter holiday, and crowds peak in the days leading up to Christmas.

Save me for later!

To experience as much holiday charm as possible, I put together a Germany Christmas market itinerary that spans four regions.

Although we visited all five cities in five days, you could certainly spend an extra night in a few of them. We ended up staying in Munich for two days to do some sightseeing, and Nuremberg’s history and charm deserves an extra day as well.

Note that we started our Christmas market trip by spending one day in Brussels , so Aachen was our first stop in Germany. Depending on where you’re starting your journey (or if you’re flying into the country), you may want to do this itinerary in reverse, beginning with Munich.

As of September 2023, all of the cities on this German Christmas market itinerary are scheduled to be open for the season. Please be sure to follow local guidelines and review your travel plans in advance of visiting!

Aachen was my favorite German Christmas market of the trip. A massive cathedral dominates the town center, creating a fairytale-esque atmosphere. And the surrounding streets and alleys were beautifully decorated with garland, Christmas trees, and enticing window displays.

Hundreds of stalls radiate out from the cathedral, covering the Munsterplatz and the Katschhof. Opposite the cathedral stands the Rathaus (town hall), and the Marketplatz behind also has a large set of stalls. Be sure to try the Aachener Printen , a type of lebkuchen shaped like a flat rectangle.

While you’re in Aachen, take the time to go inside the Aachen Cathedral, which is one of the oldest in Europe. It’s also the final resting place of Charlemagne.

Before you leave, swing by the Elisenbrunnen. This neoclassical pavilion sits atop a thermal spring, and you can touch the hot water that comes out its fountains.

Where to stay

Bensons Hotel is perfectly located between the markets and Aachen train station. It’s super convenient to hop off the train, walk to the hotel to drop your bags, and head straight to the markets. Being a 10 minute walk from the cathedral is a nice bonus, especially if a rain shower forces you to retreat early.

Book at Bensons Hotel today!

After spending two days in Cologne in the summer of 2018, I vowed to return for the famous Cologne Christmas market. The Cologne Cathedral is my favorite building in Europe, and seeing hundreds of stalls and twinkling lights against its magnificent backdrop was truly a bucket list-worthy experience.

Cologne has SEVEN Christmas markets spread across the city! Each one has its own unique charms (and collectible mugs), so I suggest visiting most or all if you can.

• Old Market:  A large ice rink and carnival rides are a favorite with children
• Angel’s Market:  Lovely wooden chalets and twinkling lights make this market whimsical
• Cathedral Market : Cologne’s largest and most famous market, with over 160 traditional stalls and a live music stage
• Heavenue Market : Heavenue is put on by the LGBT community, but all are welcome to enjoy the fun atmosphere
• Village of St. Nicholas : Situated next to the Hahnentorburg gate, this market has a medieval village feel
• Stadtgarden: The Belgian quarter is one of my favorite Cologne neighborhoods, and its Stadtgarden village offers a cozy escape from the more crowded markets
• Harbour Market:  Located on the Rhine river next to the Chocolate museum, this market boasts a decorated sailing ship and seafood stalls

If you’re looking to splash out on a great hotel experience, I highly recommend the Hyatt Regency Köln . It’s directly across the river from the Cologne Cathedral, giving you easy access to the city’s major markets.

Aside from location, the hotel itself is gorgeous, full of amenities, and is famous for its lavish Sunday brunch. If you want incredible views and easy access to the sights, I highly recommend staying here.

Book at the Hyatt Regency Köln now!

Frankfurt has a beautiful old town, and its spectacular Christmas market transforms the area into a winter wonderland. Surrounded by colorful half-timbered buildings and a stunning town hall, the Römerberg hosts the bulk of Frankfurt’s stalls. There’s even an illuminated vintage carousel to dial up the magic factor!

In addition to the Römerberg market, there’s a smaller group of stalls (and another carousel) at the Paulsplatz. It’s a good place to escape the crowds for a drink.

If you have the time (and energy), pay 3 euros to climb the 300 steps of Frankfurt Cathedral tower. The 360 degree views from the top are incredible, offering a birds-eye perspective of the markets below.

I also suggest a stroll along the River Main and across the Eiserner Steg (Iron Bridge). The Sachsenhausen neighborhood south of the river is full of lovely houses, and there are plenty of pubs serving the city’s signature apfelwein .

For maximum convenience at a reasonable price, book a room at Motel One Frankfurt-Römer . Don’t let the name fool you: this chic hotel has modern amenities, an impressive bar and lounge area, and super comfy beds. Plus, it’s under a five minute walk to the markets, and a 15 minute walk to Frankfurt train station.

Reserve a room at Motel One Frankfurt-Römer!

Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt is one of the largest and most popular Christmas markets in the world.

Part of the draw is the Christ Child ( Christkind ) tradition, where a young woman is elected to dress up in an elaborate white and gold dress complete with crown and wings. The Christkind  presides over the market’s opening ceremony, gives a speech to kick off the festivities, and also visits children in the market, schools, and hospitals.

The main market sprawls across the Hauptmarkt square in front of Nuremberg’s Gothic-style Church of Our Lady. Here, traditional wooden stalls are topped with red and white striped roofs, turning the area into a candy cane-esque wonderland. Don’t forget to eat the famous lebkuchen  while you’re here!

In the adjacent side streets, you’ll find the Market of the Sister Cities, where vendors from around the world sell everything from African flutes to Italian ham. There’s also a Children’s Market nearby, with pretty carousels, gingerbread houses, and other kid-friendly stalls and activities.

Aside from the amazing markets, Nuremberg has a lot to offer. There are seven charming bridges that cross the Pegnitz River, and the Maxbrücke and covered Henkerbrücke are most iconic.

The Weißgerbergasse is lined with photogenic half-timbered shops and restaurants. And if you have extra time to spend, check out the Memorium Nuremberg Trials, a museum above the courthouse where the Nuremberg Trials were held.

It’s hard to beat the Gideon Hotel on location and price. There are market stalls directly outside the hotel–including a glühwein vendor–and the train station is a short walk down the street. Despite all this, our room was quiet (a must for me) and had stellar views over the city.

Book at the Gideon Hotel now!

The final city on this German Christmas market itinerary hosts over a dozen markets ( click here for the complete list). Munich’s biggest is the Christkindlmarkt Marienplatz, located next to the gorgeous Rathaus. The combination of cute stalls, ornate architecture, and giant Christmas tree is truly mesmerizing.

For a more secluded experience, head to the Residenz Christmas Village. To reach this small market, head through the covered archway across from the Munich Residenz palace. I loved the calmer feeling of this courtyard location after the bustle of the Marienplatz.

Munich’s vast English Garden hosts its own market near the Chinese tower in the center. It’s further away from the crowds, and the trees make it feel like a hidden gem in the forest.

If you want a modern twist on tradition, check out the Tollwood winter festival. Held at the same site as Oktoberfest, Tollwood is closer to Edinburgh Fringe than your typical German markets. Live music, international food, and sustainable crafts offer a refreshing break from the usual fare.

We also spent an extra day in Munich to do some sightseeing. I highly recommend a visit to Nymphenburg Palace, an opulent estate with multiple residences and serene grounds. The Munich Residenz is another lavish building with state rooms and several museums.

If you can spend 3 days in Munich (or more), I also suggest adding a day trip to the famous Neuschwanstein Castle. However, you can’t use your German Rail Pass to get there, and the trip involves multiple modes of public transit.

Luckily, there are a number of day trip operators that run tours to Neuschwanstein from Munich , making it easy to visit the place that inspired Disney’s Cinderella Castle.

Munich is a big city with tons of hotel options. We chose to stay at Hotel Mirabell for two nights because of the price and proximity to the train station. Although it’s a 15 minute walk to the main market, it’s a short 5 minute walk to the Tollwood winter festival.

Reserve at the Hotel Mirabell now!

My favorite Germany travel books

• Lonely Planet: Germany
• Rick Steves Germany
• Fodor’s Essential Germany

Are visions of sugar plums dancing in your head yet? If you visit all of these Christmas markets in Germany by train, you’ll be bursting with holiday spirit.

7 thoughts on “Christmas Markets in Germany by Train: A Complete Itinerary”

Thank you for this scintillating virtual tour. I would recommend to readers a stop in Regensburg enroute from Nuremberg to Munich. I lived in the Oberpfalz region for a couple of years and always enjoyed the Regensburg Christkindle Market, the old cathedral and the bridge over the Danube. My favorite hotel in Regensburg is the Hotel Ophree. Each room is decorated differently with antique furniture. It’s more of an adults only hotel if you’re traveling with children. I would also add Rothenburg Oder Tauber, the medieval walled city on the Tauber. It’s only accessible by regional train, but well worth the side trip.

Thanks for taking the time to add all the details. I want to do a similar journey by train and you given me enough to start planning for 2022.

Thank you very much for a great article. I am planning a trip this year to visit Christmas Markets in Germany and your itinerary by train is excellent.

Would you mind saying how much the total trip cost you? I’m planning an almost identical Christmas Market trip like this and would love to compare! Thanks!

Sorry, I took this trip 3 years ago and cannot remember the total cost! The biggest expenses were hotels and trains, as Christmas is a popular time for traveling in Germany and rooms are very pricey. We paid around 150EUR per night for mid-range hotels, plus 165EUR each for DB Rail Passes (the price has likely gone up since).

Would you recommend a rental car over the train?

Hi Brad, I’d personally stick with the train for this itinerary as it’s very easy to get from city to city. Renting a car would be far more expensive given the cost of petrol, and you may get caught up in adverse road conditions if it were to snow.

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Photos: see the northern lights from rare solar storm.

Geoff Brumfiel

Christchurch, New Zealand: People look at the Aurora Australis, also known as the Southern Lights, in Rolleston on May 11, 2024. Sanka Vidanagama/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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As those particles hit the Earth's atmosphere they will be heated and start glowing producing beautiful aurora.

South looks north, as solar storm brings auroras

Lisa Upton is with the Southwest Research Institute. Social media is already filling with photos from places like Finland, Russia, Germany and New Zealand, which catches the same effect in the southern hemisphere. It's not clear how far down in the U.S. the aurora will spread, but Upton is keeping an eye out in Colorado.

Space weather forecasters expect the solar storm to peak overnight, but it will last throughout the weekend.

Brunswick, Maine: The northern lights flare in the sky over a farmhouse, late Friday, May 10, 2024. Robert F. Bukaty/AP hide caption

Brunswick, Maine: The northern lights flare in the sky over a farmhouse, late Friday, May 10, 2024.

Estacada, Ore.: In this image taken with a long exposure, cars pass by as people look at the night sky towards the northern lights, or Aurora Borealis, on Friday, May 10, 2024, in Estacada, Ore. Jenny Kane/AP hide caption

Lake Berryessa, Calif.: The blinking lights of a plane streak through the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, which is visible on May 11, 2024. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Images hide caption

London, Ontario: People stop along a country road near London, Ontario to watch the Northern lights or aurora borealis during a geomagnetic storm on May 10, 2024. Geoff Robins/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

Brandenburg, Germany: Light green and slightly reddish auroras glow in the night sky. Patrick Pleul/dpa/picture alliance/Getty Images hide caption

Brandenburg, Germany: Light green and slightly reddish auroras glow in the night sky.

Whitley Bay, England: People visit St Mary's lighthouse in Whitley Bay to see the aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights. Ian Forsyth/Getty Images hide caption

Crosby Beach, Liverpool, England: The aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, glow on the horizon at Another Place by Anthony Gormley. Peter Byrne/PA Images/Getty Images hide caption

Crosby Beach, Liverpool, England: The aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, glow on the horizon at Another Place by Anthony Gormley.

Saxony-Anhalt, Schierke, Germany: Northern lights can be seen from the Brocken. The natural spectacle is particularly intense on Saturday night. Matthias Bein/dpa/picture alliance/Getty Images hide caption

Rochester, N.Y: Northern Lights light up the sky on May 11, 2024. Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu/Getty Images hide caption

Hesse, Germany: Northern lights appear in the night sky over the Pferdskopf near Treisberg in the Hochtaunus district of Hesse. Lando Hass/dpa/picture alliance/Getty Images hide caption

Mount Mitchell, N.C.: Unusual sun activity created a G5 Geostorm on Earth sparks northern lights on May 10, 2024. Peter Zay/Anadolu/Getty Images hide caption

London, Ontario: Northern lights or aurora borealis illuminate the night sky near London, Ontario, during a geomagnetic storm on May 10, 2024. Geoff Robins/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

Debrad, Slovakia: Northern lights illuminate the sky May 11, 2024. Robert Nemeti/Anadolu/Getty Images hide caption

Eindhoven, Ukraine: Northern lights illuminate the sky in Eindhoven, Ukraine, May 10, 2024. Nikos Oikonomou/Anadolu/Getty Images hide caption

Liseleje, Denmark: Northern lights illuminate the sky in Liseleje, Denmark on May 11, 2024. Mohamed El-Shemy/Anadolu/Getty Images hide caption

Markville, Minnesota: The northern lights glow in the sky over St. Croix State Forest late Friday, May 10, 2024. Mark Vancleave/AP hide caption

Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine: Northern lights light up the sky May 11, 2024. Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu/Getty Images hide caption

Skidmore, Missouri: Old tombstones stand against the northern lights at a cemetery early Saturday, May 11, 2024. Charlie Riedel/AP hide caption

Middletown, California: Northern lights illuminate the night sky over a camper's tent north of San Francisco on May 11, 2024. Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

Middletown, California: Northern lights illuminate the night sky over a camper's tent north of San Francisco on May 11, 2024.

Estacada, Oregon: In this image taken with a long exposure, people look at the night sky towards the northern lights, or Aurora Borealis, on Friday, May 10, 2024. Jenny Kane/AP hide caption

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Northern lights dazzle over UK, Europe and across the hemisphere

Aurora borealis sightings further south than usual from Ireland and Britain to Czech Republic and Germany as solar storm hits Earth’s atmosphere

• How can I see the northern lights in the UK tonight?

The aurora borealis has lit up the night sky with rare sightings across the UK, Europe and the northern hemisphere.

The northern lights were spotted in Whitley Bay on the north-east coast; Essex; Cambridgeshire; and Wokingham in Berkshire. They were also sighted in Suffolk, Kent, Hampshire and Liverpool.

Kathleen Cunnea, in Great Horkesley, Essex, said: “It was absolutely stunning to see.”

Sightings were reported in Ireland, where the weather service Met Éireann posted images of the lights over Dublin and above Shannon airport in County Clare.

Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon said on Friday: “Although the shorter nights will limit the visibility window, there’s a good chance to see the aurora, particularly on Friday night and especially in Scotland, Ireland and parts of northern England and Wales.

“There could even be visibility further south if you have the right equipment.

“Those conditions could continue on Saturday night but we still have to work out some details on where exactly that will be.”

Dixon said the combination of clear skies and enhanced activity from the sun reaching Earth would improve the chances of seeing the display.

“I feel like I am having a religious experience – or an alien abduction. Not sure which,” science teacher David Boyce tweeted from England. Another user shared a photo and said Edinburgh in Scotland felt like “a different planet tonight”.

okay i’m speechless and overjoyed! spent ages in the garden staring up at the aurora. on a warm summer night too. what a time to be alive. i only said “it’s like Skyrim” once pic.twitter.com/nUgyYX2TU5 — emmalition🗡️ (@emmalition) May 10, 2024

Aurora displays occur when charged particles collide with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere around the magnetic poles.

In the northern hemisphere, most of this activity takes place within a band known as the aurora oval, covering latitudes between 60 and 75 degrees. When activity is strong, this expands to cover a greater area – which is why displays can be occasionally seen further south.

In the US, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa) issued a rare severe geomagnetic storm warning on Friday. It alerted operators of power plants and spacecraft in orbit to take precautions. Noaa said the storm could produce northern lights as far south as Alabama and northern California.

This is making me emotional! I never expected to see this in Alabama! pic.twitter.com/pGxz5Sm5gy — Amber Kulick ⛈️ (@AmberKulick_wx) May 11, 2024

Probably the only chance to see the Northern lights from greater Houston in our lifetimes. The view from College Station this evening. https://t.co/d3CurrscSG pic.twitter.com/2td13dJNdA — Eric Berger (@SciGuySpace) May 11, 2024

“For most people here on planet Earth, they won’t have to do anything,” said Rob Steenburgh, a scientist with Noaa’s space weather centre. “That’s really the gift from space weather – the aurora.”

The “very rare event” is being caused by a large sunspot cluster that has produced several moderate to strong solar flares since Wednesday morning, Noaa said. That meant the lights could be seen further south than usual.

Steenburgh and his colleagues said the best aurora views might come from phone cameras, which were better at capturing light than the naked eye.

Even when the storm is over, signals between GPS satellites and ground receivers could be scrambled or lost, according to Noaa. But there are so many navigation satellites that any outages should not last long, Steenburgh said.

It is all part of the solar activity that’s ramping up as the sun approaches the peak of its 11-year cycle. The storm is anticipated to peak as at least seven coronal mass ejections converge and race towards Earth late on Friday or early on Saturday, according to an update from Noaa . But geomagnetic storming was “highly likely” to persist through the weekend, the agency said.

Experts suggest finding a location with minimal light pollution and looking north for the best sightings of the aurora borealis. But many of the enthused viewers who shared sightings on social media did not have to look hard at all.

“Pictures of everybod[y]’s #aurora experience is the best, most wholesome thing I’ve seen on Twitter in a long time,” one user wrote , calling the experience “magic”. “Everybody just coming together to appreciate nature.”

Nasa said the storm posed no serious threat to the seven astronauts aboard the International Space Station. The biggest concern was increased radiation levels, and the crew could move to a better shielded part of the station if necessary, according to Steenburgh.

Increased radiation also could threaten some of Nasa’s science satellites. Extremely sensitive instruments would be turned off if necessary to avoid damage, said Antti Pulkkinen, director of the space agency’s heliophysics science division. Several sun-focused spacecraft were monitoring all the action.

“This is exactly the kinds of things we want to observe,” Pulkkinen said.

Additional reporting by Kari Paul . With PA Media and Associated Press

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12 Best Places To Visit In Germany With Family In 2024!

T hinking about visiting Germany with your kids? Looking for the best places to visit in Germany with family in 2024? You’re in the right place!

Germany is a fabulous destination for families. It’s renowned for its rich history, gorgeous landscapes and interesting culture. Its fairy-tale old towns and castles add some magic and its big cities add some vibrancy. All up, Germany is a captivating blend of historical charm and modern appeal.

From landmarks such as the Berlin Wall and Neuschwanstein Castle to the beautiful landscapes of the Rhine Valley and the Black Forest to the great food and ease of getting around, there’s so much to love about traveling in Germany.

Germany isn’t just for adults though. There are many fantastic places to visit in Germany with kids. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best choices to add to your itinerary.

Why Is A Family Vacation In Germany A Great Idea?

Where to stay in berlin for families, where to stay in nuremberg for families, where to stay in rothenburg for families, where to stay in the rhine valley for families, where to stay in trier for families, where to stay in heidelberg for families, where to stay in europa park for families, where to stay in the black forest for families, where to stay near autostadt for families, where to stay in bremen for families, where to stay in lübeck for families, christmas markets.

Germany is an incredible destination for families for the reasons I mentioned above as well as many others. The fairy-tale castles are sure to capture your kids’ imagination.

A trip to the Berlin Wall can be a great accessible educational opportunity. A walk on cobblestoned streets through a colorful old town will take your kids right back to fairy-tale classics. Families are welcome almost everywhere.

There are, of course, many attractions in Germany for kids. From huge theme parks to children’s museums and fun markets, trains and more, there is a lot to love about traveling to Germany with kids.

The efficient train system and great road network also make it easy to get around and to explore as much of Germany as you like. There’s a great range of accommodation, including many hotels that specifically created for families.

The food can also be quite kid-friendly. It’s easy to enjoy a pretzel or a bratwurst (sausage) almost anywhere which is likely to appeal to even fussy eaters.

All up, it’s a very easy place for a family vacation that your kids won’t forget.

Best Places To Visit In Germany With Family

Here are my top 12 picks of the best places to visit in Germany with kids…

The capital of Germany, Berlin offers a fantastic blend of historical and family-friendly attractions. The Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin Wall are must visits for all and a great learning opportunity for kids.

The DDR Museum is a hands-on way for your family to learn about life in the German Democratic Republic (East Germany). Berlin is a city with a super interesting past, and there’s no better way for your kids to learn and understand it than in the city itself.

For more family focused attractions in Berlin , the Berlin Zoo is a great place to head with a wide variety of animals. The interactive Legoland Discovery Center is also a favorite among children. Head to the German Spy Museum for lots of fun spy activities, like dressing up and debugging a room.

To let off some steam, make sure you head to Tiergarten. This huge park has plenty of space to roam with historical monuments, six playgrounds and row boats. It’s also home to the zoo. 

I recommend The Circus Apartments in a handy spot in Berlin. They have a variety of apartment options including two and three bedroom, fully self-contained apartments for up to six people.

Click here for more details and the latest prices.

Nuremberg is our pick of the best city to visit in Germany with family. It’s an easy city to explore with a great range of attractions that are easily accessible for families.

The Old Town is the natural place to start with super colorful houses and the Kaiserburg (Imperial Castle) keeping watch from above. You can also explore the city from underground and see how Nuremberg’s art collections were kept safe during World War II. You can find the Spielzeugmuseum (Toy Museum) in the Old Town with toys from various time periods.

Just outside the Old Town, the Deutsche Bahn Museum is a must visit. It centers on the history of the German Railways with old carriages, videos and more. What kids will really love is the model railway, the chance to take a light railway ride and the interactive play area specifically for kids.

If you have younger kids (10 and under), don’t miss a day out at the Playmobil FunPark. This amusement park with Playmobil theming was one of my 6 and 10 year olds’ favorite places in Germany. There are great playgrounds, pedal boats, water play area, castle area, go karts and more. It’s located just outside of Nuremberg.

You can read more about things to do in Nuremberg here.

We stayed at the Novotel Nuernberg Centre Ville which was perfect for our family. It’s on the edge of the Old Town by the main station and has family rooms. There’s also a great indoor pool, children’s playroom, restaurants and more.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Home to maybe the most photographed old town in Germany, Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber (or just Rothenburg) is a picturesque medieval gem, perfect for exploring with kids.

It’s only a small town, but this is part of its charm. Its colorful buildings, cobblestoned streets and well-preserved town walls will help you feel like you’ve gone back in time. 

The town walls are the perfect place to start exploring. They offer many pretty views, and there are information boards along the way to learn more. It’s a great way for kids to let off some steam while discovering Rothenburg. There are also some playgrounds around the walls.

Another place families will enjoy is the Christmas Museum. It’s located in the Käthe Wohlfahrt Weihnachtsdorf which is a popular chain of Christmas stores that open year round. It’s about the history of Christmas customs with many decorations on display.

A popular place to visit in Rothenburg is the Mittelalterliches Kriminalmuseum (Medieval Crime Museum). It’s located in a building which is 600 years old and covers over 1,000 years of the legal history of Germany and Europe. It focuses on interrogation (torture), crime and punishment.

This museum is for families with teenagers who have an interest – and it is a fascinating museum. I visited without my 6 year old, which was the right choice.

We stayed at the Pension das Lädle which is in the heart of Rothenburg’s Old Town. It has three and four person rooms with separate sleeping areas for kids.

Rhine Valley

The Rhine Valley may be best known for its wines but it’s also a fabulous place to travel to Germany with children. With gorgeous towns, stunning wineries and fairy-tale castles, the whole family will love a trip here.

Start your adventure with a relaxing cruise down the Rhine trying to spot the castles that dot it before driving around and visiting your favorites. Rheinstein Castle is a picturesque place to start or visit Schönburg Castle with its amazing views and slingshot simulator your kids will enjoy.

Of course, you can’t miss out on stopping in the beautiful towns. Bacharach may be the cutest with a town wall to explore, a pretty Old Town and wines to taste. Boppard is another town worth heading to with half-timbered houses, old wine taverns and a Roman fort.

There’s also a fun chairlift in Boppard with great views and nice walks at the top. You can take an easy stroll to Vierseenblick (Four Lakes View). This cool viewpoint is at a horseshoe bend in the Rhine River and gives the illusion that there are four lakes instead of one river.

We stayed at the Rhine Pearl Hideaways which is a building of apartments in the middle of Oberwesel, a picturesque town in the middle of the Rhine Valley. The apartments are modern and perfect for families.

Trier is not just the oldest city in Germany and home to nine UNESCO World Heritage sites but is also a great destination in Germany for children.

Located near the border of Luxembourg and not far from the Rhine Valley, Trier has had human settlement for over 6,000 years. It was an important place in Roman times and you can still see ruins from this time today. These ruins are fun to explore with kids and are great for capturing the imagination.

Start your adventure at Porta Nigra, a second century Roman city gate. It’s the best way to enter the Old Town and is massive. In the Old Town there are pretty streets, Hauptmarkt (the main square), many churches, an antique toy museum and more. Trier Cathedral still has parts from Roman times.

As you head further south, there are more Roman ruins from thermal baths to an amphitheatre. It is worth checking them all out.

For a more hands-on experience, you can also visit Freilichtmuseum Roscheiderhof, an open air museum, about eight kilometers from Trier.

We stayed at Ibis Styles Trier which is right in the center of everything. There are family room options.

Beautiful Heidelberg is definitely one of the places to visit in Germany with children. With its great setting by the Neckar River and surrounded by hills, there are plenty of places for kids to explore and roam.

Heidelberg’s famous ruined castle is a great place to start. You can either walk up here or get a fun cogwheel train up. In addition to exploring the castle area, you can visit the Deutsches Apotheken-Museum (German Pharmacy Museum) inside the castle which covers the history of medical science and pharmacies in Germany. It’s interesting even for young kids with old reconstructed pharmacies, labs and interactive games.

After the castle, consider taking the cogwheel train further up the hill to visit the Walderlebnispfad (Forest Adventure Trail). This is an easy 2 kilometer trail with many activities to do along the way aimed at children. There is also a small, older-style amusement park up there.

Our favorite thing to do in Heidelberg was to head up the opposite hill to explore Heiligenberg, where settlement first started in this area. There are great paths through the forest where you can feel like you are discovering Celtic and Roman ruins, old monasteries and Thingstätte, an amphitheater completed in 1935 by the Nazis to spread propaganda.

We stayed at the Heidelberg Apheartments in the heart of Heidelberg. They offer fully self-contained apartments for up to eight people.

Find more great hotels in Heidelberg here.

Europa-Park – Rust

When you travel to Germany with kids, this theme park is likely to be their favorite place in the country.

Considered one of the best in Europe, Europa Park is massive with 18 themed areas, over 100 attractions, 13 roller coasters, many live shows and so much more. Think Disneyland but with European theming. Most of the themed areas are based on different countries in Europe. There is also a separate water park here called Rulantica.

Even visiting in peak August, we had so much fun here. The kids absolutely loved the more family-friendly roller coasters, getting wet on the splash rides and watching horse shows. The  park’s VirtualLine feature in the app helped to ensure we never lined up for too long and had a great time.

There are many places to eat, stay and more and this is a great way to end a family vacation in Germany. It’s located near the French border between Heidelberg and the Black Forest.

One of the many great things about Europa Park is that there are six hotels adjacent to the park and in the immediate area each with their own theming. If you stay at any of the hotels, you can access the many facilities at all of them and you also get early access to the park.

We stayed at Hotel Castillo Alcazar which was a lot of fun. It has its own entrance directly into the theme park and is themed as a Medieval knight’s castle. There are many family room options, even for larger families.

Black Forest

The Black Forest is definitely a fantastic region to head to when visiting Germany with kids. It’s incredibly scenic with beautiful villages and plenty of opportunities to explore the great outdoors.

We loved hiking round lakes, swimming outdoors, exploring the towns and visiting picturesque castles like Hohenzollern Castle. You can visit the home of cuckoo clocks in Triberg or peddle your way around Titisee lake on a boat. You can bathe in the thermal pools at Baden-Baden or explore the picturesque Old Town in Freiburg .

Kids will love Badeparadies Schwarzwald Titisee, a big indoor waterpark with an amazing sauna complex for adults. And, of course, no visit is complete without a slice of the famous black forest cake (although technically it doesn’t come from here).

There are so many awesome experiences in the Black Forest for families that you could spend your whole trip in this region alone.

We stayed at the Feldberger Hof Family Hotel in the Black Forest. It’s an all inclusive resort specifically for families and it’s amazing. There are so many family friendly facilities (including an outdoor ropes course, horse riding and indoor pool area with water slides), activities, rooms and great food.

The hotel also includes an attractions pass for the region which gives free or discounted entry to 60 attractions plus public transport.

Autostadt Wolfsburg

Autostadt Wolfsburg is an automobile museum and theme park located in Wolfsburg, Germany. It tells the story of the history and development of automobiles, but also has attractions and activities related to automotive culture. This isn’t a big, dry museum.

Spread over 28 hectares, there are multiple museums, massive car towers, playgrounds, giant slides and various car pavilions. One of the coolest parts is definitely the round, glass, 60 meter towers that store Volkswagen cars ready to be delivered to new homes. It’s fully automated with cars being placed and removed from the tower with ease. You can take a ride up the towers yourself for an up close look.

This place is a whole world with plenty of cars and history to explore. Adults can test drive real vehicles while kids can learn to drive in some very cool miniature ones. There are many interactive exhibits. It’s easy to enjoy a half day here. 

For families, there are also some playgrounds including some huge slides up to 18.5 meters high. There’s a cool shop and plenty of eating options too.

For the full Autostadt experience, it is possible to stay on-site. The Ritz-Carlton Wolfsburg Autostadt hotel is located here.

There’s a pool, sauna, two restaurants (Including a three Michelin star option) and a lounge. Rooms cater for up to four people.

If you’re heading to northern Germany, Bremen is a great place to stop for families. At the end of the Fairy Tale Route, Bremen celebrates the Brothers Grimm’s fairy tale, the Bremen Town Musicians with a statue of the donkey, dog, cat and rooster from the tale in the main square.

There are also images and statues around town of these creatures and it’s fun to have the kids look out for them. If you aren’t familiar with this story, I recommend that you watch it on YouTube before you go.

The Old Town is fun to explore for all ages with a great main square, the stunning Bremen Cathedral and the laneways of Schnoor and Böttcherstraße. It’s easy to explore by foot. 

The Universum Science Centre is a standout attraction if you visit Germany with kids. It has interactive and educational exhibits which kids will enjoy. 

For a thought-provoking historical site, visit the Bunker Valentin. It’s an absolutely massive World War II submarine factory that has been left standing to illustrate the futility of war.

We stayed at the Best Western Bremen City . It has some great apartment style rooms for families within walking distance of the main attractions.

Also in northern Germany, Lübeck is a charming city home to a picturesque, UNESCO World Heritage listed Old Town. It is a good mix of historical and kid-friendly attractions. 

The best place to start is with a wander through the well-restored Old Town. Encircled by the Trave River, there are many great views, churches, museums and more. A feature of this Old Town are the hidden courtyards. These are courtyards from the Middle Ages accessed via small walkways from the street. We made it a family game to try to spot as many as possible.

The world-class European Hansemuseum is worth visiting and an easy way to learn more about the Hanseatic League which played a big part in Lübeck’s past.

Lübeck is famous for its marzipan so a sugary treat at Cafe Niederegger is the perfect way to end a day of sightseeing. When you have finished exploring Lübeck, consider a trip to Travemünde on the Baltic Sea. Just 20 minutes from Lübeck, it’s the perfect place to have some beach time. It also has a pretty Old Town.

We stayed at Hotel Die Reederin . It’s a gorgeous boutique hotel in Lübeck’s Old Town. It offers a spacious family room option.

My final place to visit in Germany with kids is a special one if you are visiting in late November or December. I recommend you visit as many Christmas markets as you can if you visit at this time of year.

German Christmas Markets are incredibly magical and special. From the traditional food and drinks to the Christmas music and lights, they set the scene for a perfect Christmas.

Many Christmas markets and destinations in Germany have special events perfect for families at this time of year. For example, Quedlinburg has the “largest Advent calendar in Germany”. At 4:30pm every day in the lead up to Christmas, families meet up and search together for one of 24 houses with special Christmas decorations that are open to the public. Inside, there are surprises.

Nuremberg Christmas Market has a special section for kids with old-fashioned rides, crafts and activities. For novelty, head to Cologne for a floating Christmas market on a ship. Munich has a Kinderland section at one of its Christmas markets with special activities and a Christmas Post Office. In Hamburg, you can watch Santa fly overhead in his sleigh!

Christmas is a truly special time in Germany for the whole family so make sure you include plenty of Christmas markets in your itinerary at this time.

Final Thoughts

Germany is a fantastic place to visit for families. There is so much to enjoy here from the great outdoors to the interesting history that surrounds you.

There are plenty of kid-focused attractions, but it’s also easy to visit interesting historical and cultural attractions in a way that is interesting for kids too.

I hope this list helps you have one of your best family vacations in Germany.

Bio: Sharon Gourlay is a full-time blogger and mum of three who loves sharing her love of travel with kids with others, especially when it comes to sharing one of her favorite destinations, Germany! You can find more information to plan your ultimate adventure in Germany at Germany Footsteps .